System and method for enabling waste disposer to be coupled to alternative electric power sources

ABSTRACT

Food waste disposer systems and related systems for coupling food waste disposer systems to electrical power sources, and related coupling and configuration methods, are disclosed herein. In at least one example embodiment, a food waste disposer system includes a motor, a switch module, a housing, and an appliance inlet power cord connection structure supported at least indirectly upon the housing, where the connection structure is either connected to or integrally formed with the switch module. Further, the food waste disposer system also includes a power cord including a first end with a first plug and a second end with a second plug, where the first plug is configured to be coupled to the connection structure. Additionally, the food waste disposer includes an adapter or first lead wires that are coupled at least indirectly to the connection structure.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to waste disposers such as food wastedisposers and, more particularly, to systems for use in or inconjunction with such waste disposers by which those waste disposers canbe coupled to electric power sources, as well as to waste disposerscomprising such systems, and to methods of coupling waste disposers to,or configuring waste disposers for coupling to, electrical powersources.

BACKGROUND

Food waste disposers are used to comminute food scraps into particlessmall enough to pass through household drain plumbing. Referring to FIG.1 (Prior Art), a perspective bottom view of a conventional food wastedisposer 100 is shown. As illustrated, the food waste disposer 100includes an enclosure 102, a cylindrical stator band 104, and a lowerend frame (LEF) 106. It should be appreciated that the food wastedisposer 100 can be mounted to and beneath a sink, such as a kitchensink (not shown). When so mounted, the food waste disposer 100 willtypically be in a position that is inverted relative to that shown inFIG. 1, such that the LEF 106 will be at the bottom of the food wastedisposer.

In general, the food waste disposer 100 can be understood as including afood conveying section, a motor section, and a grinding section. Thefood conveying section is generally positioned at a locationcorresponding to the location of the enclosure 102, at or near the topof the food waste disposer 100. The motor section is generallypositioned at a location corresponding to and within the stator band104, at or near the bottom of the food waste disposer 100. The grindingsection is disposed between the food conveying section and the motorsection. It should be appreciated that the food conveying sectionincludes an inlet for receiving food waste and fluid (e.g., water), andconveys the food waste to the grinding section. The motor sectionincludes a motor imparting rotational movement to a motor shaft tooperate the grinding section.

The type of electrical installation for food waste disposers such as thefood waste disposer 100 varies. Most newer homes have a standardelectrical power outlet (e.g., a wall outlet) near the disposer, towhich the disposer can be coupled so as to receive power. However, mostolder homes (pre-1970′s) have a Romex/BX cable extending from a wall ofthe home, which can be coupled and terminated directly to the disposerin a hardwired manner. Out of all homes, it is estimated that 60% ofhomes with a disposer have hardwiring and that the remaining 40% use apower outlet located in the sink cabinet.

Notwithstanding such common implementations of food waste disposerswithin homes, there are various concerns, problems, or disadvantagesassociated with each of these implementations. For food waste disposersthat are sold with a power cord (e.g., for coupling to a wall outlet),there can arise any of several issues when implementing such disposers.For example, when implementing such a food waste disposer in a home thatis equipped with a Romex/BX cable, the installed cord would have to beremoved to permit hardwired installation via that cable, oralternatively an electrician or qualified person would have to installan outlet box per electrical code in the sink cabinet. Either of thesetasks can be costly and inconvenient. Also, attaching a cord during thedisposer assembly process can disrupt manufacturing flow in a factory ormake subsequent manufacturing processes more difficult. Because of this,the cording operation is sometimes done as a secondary operation, whichis typically less efficient. Further, power cords that are attached toor formed as part of food waste disposers can be damaged during shippingand handling of those disposers.

Additionally, for food waste disposers that are sold without a cord, oneor more other issues can arise when implementing such disposers. Forexample, when implementing such a food waste disposer in a home that hasan electrical wall outlet but lacks a Romex/BX cable connection, a powercord would have to be installed with respect to the disposer. This mayrequire the installer to go back to the store given that no cord isprovided with the disposer. Additionally, installation errors can leadto warranty issues and undesirable customer experiences. In some cases,installers may mistakenly remove the wire shield, which may allow wiresto impinge or come in contact with the rotor and prevent the disposerfrom working properly. Generally speaking, in contrast to food wastedisposers that include power cords (are “pre-corded”) and that areimplemented in homes with wall outlets, the installation of an uncordeddisposer can be difficult for the average homeowner and involve addedcost. Also, stores generally do not have enough shelf space to stock thevarious SKU's of disposers in both uncorded and pre-corded versions.

Additionally, another concern associated with both uncorded andpre-corded food waste disposers relates to the typical under-sinkenvironments within which such disposers are implemented. Often, after afood waste disposer is installed in relation to a sink, there is limitedspace under the disposer and it can be difficult to access. Therefore,when attaching a power cord or Romex/BX to a food waste disposer such asthe food waste disposer 100, this is typically done before the disposeris installed to the sink. Yet this can be especially challenging inhomes having Romex/BX cables, since in such an environment there istypically a fixed length of the Romex/BX cable/wire to work with,relative to where the cable enters the sink cabinet, and consequentlythe disposer must be positioned close enough to make the desiredconnections.

The difficulties associated with the installation of uncorded food wastedisposers in homes having Romex/BX cables can be further exacerbated bythe complexity of the processes by which installation is achieved. Inthis regard, FIG. 2 shows a perspective top view of the LEF 106 of FIG.1 to illustrate components of the food waste disposer 100 that areparticularly involved with or implicated by a conventional installationprocess of the food waste disposer 100 when installed in relation to aRomex/BX cable. Additionally FIG. 3 shows a flow chart 320 illustratingsteps of the conventional installation process, and FIGS. 4A through 4Lare further provided that show cutaway bottom perspective views ofportions of the LEF 106 at different times during the performing of thatconventional installation process that particularly correspond tovarious ones of the steps of the flow chart 320 of FIG. 4.

More particularly, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, it should berecognized that the LEF 106 of the food waste disposer 100 at a startstep 300 of the installation process represented by the flow chart 320includes a terminal cover 400, which is positioned along the undersideor bottom surface 418 of the LEF. Upon commencement of the installationprocess, the first step 301 then is to remove the terminal cover 400, sothat a terminal cover opening 402 is formed in the LEF 106 as shown inFIG. 4B. Next, at a step 302 of the flow chart 320, an installer screwsa Romex/BX coupler 404 into the LEF 106. The Romex/BX coupler 404particularly can be inserted into an orifice 406 of the LEF 106 (asvisible in FIG. 4B), from the bottom surface 418 of the LEF, so as to beaffixed to the LEF 106 as illustrated in FIG. 4C. As illustrated, theRomex/BX coupler 404 includes first and second surface portions 408 and410, respectively, as well as first and second screws 412 and 414,respectively, where the screws link the two surface portions and cancause those surface portions to become closer to or farther from oneanother depending upon the positioning of the screws.

Following the step 302, at a step 303 the installer pulls motor wires416 out through terminal cover opening 402 as illustrated by FIG. 4D.Additionally, at a step 304 as shown in FIG. 4E, the installer feeds theRomex/BX cable 420 (and associated lead wires 422 extending within andfrom an end of the cable as shown in FIG. 4F) through Romex/BX coupler404. Further, at a step 305, the installer pulls the lead wires 422 ofthe Romex/BX cable 420 (particularly ends thereof) out through terminalcover opening 402, as shown in FIG. 4F. Next, at a step 306 illustratedby FIG. 4G, a ground screw 424 of the LEF 106 is loosened (e.g., byturning it counter-clockwise) and, at a step 307 illustrated by FIG. 4H,a ground lead wire 426 of the Romex/BX cable (which can be consideredone of the lead wires 422) is connected to the ground screw 424 (thiscan involve tightening, e.g., clockwise rotation, of the ground screwafter the ground wire is positioned under the head of the ground screw).

Additionally, at a step 308 and as illustrated by FIG. 41, the installerconnects a first (in this example, white) lead wire 430 of the leadwires 422 of the Romex/BX cable 420 to a first (in this example, white)motor lead wire 432 of the motor wires 416 by way of a first coupler434. Also, at a step 309 and as illustrated by FIG. 4J, the installerconnects a second (in this example, black) lead wire 436 of the leadwires 422 to a second (in this example, black) motor lead wire 438 ofthe motor wires 416 by way of a second coupler 440. Then, at a step 310and as illustrated by FIG. 4K, the installer pushes the wires (e.g., allof the end portions of the lead wires 426, 430, 432, 436, and 438, aswell as the first and second couplers 434 and 440) through terminalcover opening 402 into a wiring compartment inside the food wastedisposer 100 (e.g., above the bottom surface 418). At this time, theinstaller then completes the installation process at a step 311, atwhich the installer secures the Romex/BX coupler 404 to the Romex/BXcable 420 by tightening the screws 412 and 414, and at a step 312, atwhich the installer re-attaches the terminal cover 400 to the bottomsurface 418 of the LEF 106, as illustrated by FIG. 4L.

Accordingly, it would be desirable if an improved system for use in orin conjunction with a food waste disposer or other waste disposer,and/or an improved waste disposer employing such a system, and/or animproved method, could be developed that alleviated or addressed one ormore of the above-discussed concerns associated with the installation ofconventional waste disposers, and/or alleviated or addressed one or moreother concerns or disadvantages, and/or provided one or more advantagesby comparison with conventional arrangements.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In at least some example embodiments, the present disclosure relates afood waste disposer system. The food waste disposer system includes amotor and a switch module coupled at least indirectly to the motor andconfigured to govern a providing of power to the motor. Additionally,the food waste disposer system also includes a housing including a firstside housing portion and a bottom housing portion, and an applianceinlet power cord connection structure supported at least indirectly uponthe housing, where the appliance inlet power cord connection structureis either connected to or integrally formed with the switch module.Further, the food waste disposer system also includes a power cordincluding a first end with a first plug and a second end with a secondplug, where the first plug is configured to be coupled to the applianceinlet power cord connection structure. Additionally, the food wastedisposer includes an adapter or first lead wires that are coupled atleast indirectly to the appliance inlet power cord connection structure.In at least some such embodiments, the food waste disposer can beselectively implemented either in a first installation environmentincluding a wall outlet by way of coupling the first plug to theappliance inlet power cord connection structure, or in a secondinstallation environment including a hardwired power cable by couplingadditional lead wires of the hardwired power cable either to the firstlead wires or by coupling the additional lead wires to the adapter andfurther coupling the adapter to the appliance inlet power cordconnection structure.

Additionally, in at least some further example embodiments, the presentdisclosure relates to a method of installing a food waste disposersystem. The method includes providing the food waste disposer system toan installation environment, where the food waste disposer systemincludes a housing and a switch module supported at least indirectlyupon the housing. The method additionally includes determining whetherthe installation environment for the food waste disposer includes a walloutlet or a Romex/BX cable. The method also includes coupling, at leastindirectly to the switch module, a plurality of first wire leads ofeither the Romex/BX cable or a power cord suitable for engaging the walloutlet. Further, the food waste disposer system includes one or moresystem components that, alone or in combination with one or moreadditional components, enable the food waste disposer system to beinstalled so as to receive power via the wall outlet when theinstallation environment is determined to include the wall outlet and,alternatively, via the Romex/BX cable when the installation environmentis determined to include the Romex/BX cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of food waste disposers (or other waste disposers), and/orsystems (or subsystems) employed in or in conjunction with such wastedisposers, and/or related methods, are disclosed with reference to theaccompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The wastedisposers and related systems and methods encompassed herein are notlimited in their applications to the details of construction,arrangements of components, or other aspects or features illustrated inthe drawings, but rather such waste disposers and related systems andmethods encompassed herein include other embodiments or are capable ofbeing practiced or carried out in other various ways. Like referencenumerals are used to indicate like components. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a Prior Art food waste disposer,as can be installed in relation to another structure such as a sink;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a LEF that is part of the food wastedisposer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing example steps of an installation processby which the food waste disposer of FIG. 1 can be installed in a homehaving a Romex/BX cable so as to receive electric power;

FIGS. 4A through 4L illustrate various ones of the example steps of theinstallation process of FIG. 3, relative to the LEF and associatedcomponents of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of a firstexample food waste disposer that, in accordance with a first exampleembodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power, in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7A-7C show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.5 and 6 so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer ineither of the two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 8 is a partly-exploded view of an assembly of a Romex/BX cable inrelation to an adapter with custom plug shown in FIG. 7C, which can beemployed so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer ofFIGS. 5 and 6 in a home having/providing the Romex/BX cable;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing example steps of an installation processby which the food waste disposer and associated system componentsdescribed in relation to FIGS. 5, 6, 7A-7C, and 8 can be installed ineither of the two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes the Romex/BX cable of FIG. 8 or a wall outlet;

FIG. 10 is a bottom side perspective cutaway view of portions of asecond example food waste disposer that, in accordance with a firstexample embodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so asto receive electric power, in either of two alternative mannersdepending upon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a walloutlet;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective cutaway view of portions of the food wastedisposer in which a stator band of the food waste disposer is removed toreveal some internal features of the disposer;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 13A-13C show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.10, 11, and 12 so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposerin either of the two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 14 is a partly-exploded view of an assembly of a Romex/BX cable inrelation to an adapter with custom plug shown in FIG. 13C, which can beemployed so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer ofFIGS. 10, 11, and 12 in a home having/providing the Romex/BX cable;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of a thirdexample food waste disposer that, in accordance with a third exampleembodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power, in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 15, which alsoshows system components permitting the disposer to be installed ineither of two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 17A-7E show system components (or accessories) that can beselectively employed in or as part of (or in conjunction with) the foodwaste disposer of FIGS. 15 and 16 so as to achieve installation of thefood waste disposer in either of the two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing example steps of portions of a modifiedversion of the installation process shown in FIG. 9 by which the foodwaste disposer and associated system components described in relation toFIGS. 15, 16, and 17A-17E can be installed in either of the twoalternative manners depending upon whether the home includes a Romex/BXcable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of a fourthexample food waste disposer that, in accordance with a fourth exampleembodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power, in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 20 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 19, which alsoshows system components permitting the disposer to be installed ineither of two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 21A-21G show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.19 and 20 so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer ineither of the two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of a fifthexample food waste disposer that, in accordance with a fifth exampleembodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power, in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 23 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 22, which alsoshows system components permitting the disposer to be installed ineither of two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 24A-24E show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.22 and 23 so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer ineither of the two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of a sixthexample food waste disposer that, in accordance with a sixth exampleembodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power, in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 26 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 25, which alsoshows system components permitting the disposer to be installed ineither of two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 27A-27D show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.25 and 26 so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer ineither of the two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 28 is a partly-exploded view of an assembly of a Romex/BX cable andthe system components of FIGS. 27B, 27C, and 27D, which can be employedso as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer of FIGS. 25 and26 in a home having/providing the Romex/BX cable;

FIG. 29 is an additional bottom perspective cutaway view of the foodwaste disposer of FIG. 25 when the Romex/BX cable and system componentsof FIG. 28 are installed so as to allow for electrical power to beprovided to the disposer via the Romex/BX cable;

FIG. 30 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of a seventhexample food waste disposer that, in accordance with a seventh exampleembodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power, in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 31 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 30, which alsoshows system components permitting the disposer to be installed ineither of two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 32A-32E show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.30 and 31, so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer ineither of the two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 33 and 34 are two different bottom perspective cutaway views ofportions of a LEF (and associated components) of the food waste disposerof FIGS. 30, 31, and 32A-32E, which also show system componentspermitting the disposer to be installed in a home having a Romex/BXcable, with the waste disposer and system components being shown at twostates during the installation process;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing example steps of portions of a modifiedversion of the installation process shown in FIG. 9, in accordance withwhich the food waste disposer and associated system components describedin relation to FIGS. 30-34 can be installed in a home having a Romex/BXcable;

FIG. 36 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of an eighthexample food waste disposer that, in accordance with an eighth exampleembodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power, in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 37 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 36, which alsoshows system components permitting the disposer to be installed ineither of two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 38A-38F show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.36 and 37, so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer ineither of the two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 39 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIGS. 36, 37, and38A-38F, which also shows system components permitting the disposer tobe installed in a home having a Romex/BX cable;

FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing example steps of portions of a modifiedversion of the installation process shown in FIG. 9, in accordance withwhich the food waste disposer and associated system components describedin relation to FIGS. 36-39 can be installed in a home having a Romex/BXcable;

FIG. 41 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of portions of a ninthexample food waste disposer that, in accordance with a ninth exampleembodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power, in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIG. 42 is a top perspective cutaway view of a portion of a LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIG. 41, which alsoshows system components permitting the disposer to be installed ineither of two alternative manners depending upon whether the homeincludes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 43A-43E show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.41-42 so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer in eitherof the two alternative manners depending upon whether the home includesa Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet;

FIGS. 44-46 are three bottom perspective cutaway views of portions of aLEF (and associated components) of the food waste disposer of FIGS. 41and 42, which also shows system components permitting the disposer to beinstalled in a home having a Romex/BX cable;

FIG. 47 is a flow chart showing example steps of portions of a modifiedversion of the installation process shown in FIG. 9, in accordance withwhich the food waste disposer and associated system components describedin relation to FIGS. 41-46 can be installed in a home having a Romex/BXcable;

FIGS. 48 and 49 are two bottom perspective cutaway views of portions ofa tenth example food waste disposer that, in accordance with a tenthexample embodiment encompassed herein, can be installed in a home so asto receive electric power, in either of two alternative mannersdepending upon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a walloutlet;

FIG. 50 is a bottom perspective view of portions of the LEF (andassociated components) of the food waste disposer of FIGS. 48 and 49,including a terminal cover and appliance inlet module, shown to beseparated from the remainder of the LEF;

FIGS. 51 and 52 respectively are bottom and top perspective view of theappliance inlet module of the food waste disposer of FIGS. 48, 49, and50, shown to be separated from the remainder of the LEF (including theterminal cover thereof);

FIGS. 53A-53B show system components that can be selectively employed inor as part of (or in conjunction with) the food waste disposer of FIGS.48-52 so as to achieve installation of the food waste disposer in eitherof the two alternative manners depending upon whether the home includesa Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet; and

FIG. 54 is a flow chart showing example steps of portions of a modifiedversion of the installation process shown in FIG. 9, in accordance withwhich the food waste disposer and associated system components describedin relation to FIGS. 48-52 and 53A-53B can be installed in a home havinga Romex/BX cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure envisions waste disposers such as food wastedisposers that are configured so as to be capable of either cordedinstallation, in which a cord associated with the waste disposer can beplugged into an electric power (e.g., wall) outlet at the installationsite, or hardwired installation, such that electric power can bedelivered to the waste disposer via a Romex/BX cable that is present atthe installation site. That is, the present disclosure envisions that agiven waste disposer can include, or be implemented in conjunction with,a system (or system components) that enables the waste disposer to beinstalled in either (or both) of two different manners relative to asurrounding environment such as a home installation site so that thegiven waste disposer can be provided with electric power either by wayof an electric power outlet or by way of a Romex/BX cable. Relatedly,the present disclosure envisions methods of installation of wastedisposers according to which a waste disposer can be installed inrelation to a surrounding environment in either of two manners dependingupon whether the waste disposer is to receive electric power from anelectric power outlet or via a Romex/BX cable.

The present disclosure is intended to encompass numerous differentembodiments and versions of waste disposers that are capable of each ofcorded installation and hardwired installation. FIGS. 5 through 54,which are discussed in detail below, illustrate ten different exampleembodiments of food waste disposers and associated system components andfeatures, which are configured so as to allow each of the respectivefood waste disposers to be implemented via corded installation orhardwired installation in accordance with installation methods as alsodescribed below. Notwithstanding the particular embodiments shown inFIGS. 5-54, however, the present disclosure is also intended toencompass other embodiments or versions of waste disposers (includingfood waste disposers and other types of waste disposers) that arecapable of being implemented in multiple different manners so as toreceive power from one or more power sources.

In at least some of the embodiments encompassed herein, the food wastedisposers and/or the associated system components and features areparticularly configured to facilitate each of corded installation andhardwired installation—that is, configured to make both cordedinstallation and hardwired installation of the same waste disposer easyfor an installer. This is in contrast to many conventional wastedisposers, for which perhaps one of either corded installation orhardwired installation may be relatively straightforward but the otherof those manners of installation may prove to be difficult, unwieldy, orimpractical (or impossible). Nevertheless, even though facilitating easy(or relatively easy) installation is one example advantage associatedwith one or more of the embodiments encompassed herein, the presentdisclosure is intended to also encompass embodiments that have one ormore other advantages in addition to (or instead of) facilitating easyinstallation.

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, a bottom perspective cutaway view isprovided of portions of a first example food waste disposer 500 that, inaccordance with a first example embodiment encompassed herein, can beinstalled in a home so as to receive electric power, in either of twoalternative manners depending upon whether the home includes a Romex/BXcable or a wall outlet. FIG. 5 shows the bottom of the food wastedisposer 500 in a manner illustrative of how it would be received by thecustomer, and particularly shows a bottom perspective view of a LEF 502of the food waste disposer 500 as well as portions of a stator band 504that circumferentially surrounds the LEF. It should be understood that,although not shown in FIG. 5, the food waste disposer 500 additionallyincludes an enclosure that is located above the stator band (below thestator band in the orientation shown in FIG. 5), as well as each of afood conveying section, a motor section, and a grinding section asdescribed above with reference to the food waste disposer 100 of FIG. 1.

Referring still to FIG. 5, and additionally to FIG. 6, which shows a topperspective view of a portion of the LEF 502 (and associatedcomponents), the LEF 502 includes an appliance inlet power cordconnection structure 506, which can be or include a modified C14 typeappliance inlet. In the present embodiment, the appliance inlet powercord connection structure 506 can take the form of a receptacle havingan opening 508 along a bottom surface 510 of the LEF 502 that isconfigured to receive a modified C13 type plug, and that is configuredto allow for electrical power to be communicated from that plug toelectrical coupling prongs 512 extending within the receptacle. Itshould be appreciated from FIGS. 5 and 6 that, in contrast to theconventional food waste disposer 100 of FIG. 1 that has the terminalcover 108 by which an interior space within that waste disposer can beaccessed, the food waste disposer 500 with the modified C14 typeappliance inlet has no removable terminal cover by which an installercan gain access to the interior of the food waste disposer 500 (or toits internal motor compartment) to achieve coupling of the food wastedisposer to an electrical power source. Further with respect to FIG. 6,it should also be appreciated that the appliance inlet power cordconnection structure 506 is part of a larger structure that is aninduction motor start switch module 514. The induction motor startswitch module 514 is accessible through an opening in the LEF 502, andhas a set of terminals to allow for easy electrical connection to thestator during the manufacture and assembly of the disposer (FIG. 6 showsterminals 601 that are for a cluster block connector from a motor).

Turning to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the food waste disposer 500 includes,or can be installed in conjunction with, system components that permitthe food waste disposer to achieve either corded installation orhardwired installation depending upon whether the environment (e.g.,home kitchen) within which the food wasted disposer is being installedincludes an electrical wall outlet or a Romex/BX cable. As will bedescribed in further detail below, these system components can beconsidered to be alternative system components, in that one or more ofthe system component(s) can be implemented to achieve cordedinstallation and one or more other(s) of the system component(s) can beimplemented to achieve hardwired installation.

More particularly, FIG. 7A shows a power cord 700 that particularlyallows for corded installation in an environment in which there is anelectrical wall outlet. As shown, the power cord 700 includes a modifiedC13 type plug 702 at a first end of the cord and a NEMA 5-15 plug 704 ata second (e.g., opposite) end of the cord. Corded installation of thefood waste disposer 500 can be achieved using the power cord 700 simplyby plugging the modified C13 type plug 702 into the appliance inletpower cord connection structure 506, and by plugging the NEMA 5-15 plug704 into the electrical wall outlet (not shown).

By comparison, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C respective show a Romex/BX (or simplyRomex) coupler 706 and a Romex/BX adapter with custom plug (or simplyRomex adapter) 708, which includes both a modified C13 type plug 710 ona first side (or end) of the adapter and a Romex/BX coupling assembly712 on a second side (or end) of the adapter. The Romex coupler 706 inthe present embodiment can take the form of a commonly availableelectrical component typically used to ground metallic sheathed cable(BX) and/or secure the Romex/BX cable to another component (e.g., to anelectrical outlet box or an adapter). As further illustrated by FIG. 8,in an installation environment in which a Romex/BX cable 800 is present,an installer can pass an end of the Romex/BX cable through the Romexcoupler 706 and attach lead wires 802 extending from an end if thatRomex/BX cable to screws 804 of the Romex/BX coupling assembly 712.Additionally, as should be evident from FIG. 8, which provides apartly-exploded view of the Romex/BX coupling assembly 712 in which acover portion 806 is exploded from a remainder portion 808 of thatcoupling assembly, the Romex coupler 706 can be attached to/retained inrelation to the Romex/BX coupling assembly 712 when the cover portion806 is assembled to the remainder portion 808 (e.g., by way of screws810). When the Romex/BX cable 800 is fully assembled to the Romexadapter 708, electrical installation of the food waste disposer 500 canbe achieved simply by plugging the modified C13 type plug 710 of theRomex adapter 708 into the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure 506.

Turning to FIG. 9, a flow chart 900 illustrates in additional detail amethod of installing the food waste disposer 500 in an environment suchas for example in a kitchen in a home (e.g., beneath a kitchen sink),where the performing of the method takes into account, and variesdepending upon, whether the environment includes a Romex/BX cable suchas the Romex/BX cable 800 of FIG. 8 or includes an electric wall outlet.That is, the method represented by the flow chart 900 is one in whichthe steps of the method that are performed vary depending upon theinstallation environment is suited for corded installation or hardwiredinstallation. It should be appreciated the method of FIG. 9 particularlyrelates to the installation of the food waste disposer 500 in terms ofits being coupled to receive electric power, and not to other aspects ofinstallation such as how the food waste disposer is physically mountedor supported in relation to a structure such as a sink, although it willbe appreciated that installation of a food waste disposer will alsotypically include such as other aspects. Further, it will be appreciatedthat, in many installation circumstances, it will be appropriate oradvantageous to perform the electrical installation of the food wastedisposer after the physical/mechanical installation of the food wastedisposer has already been achieved, such that the food waste disposer isphysically fixed in place relative to the surrounding environment.

More particularly as shown in FIG. 9, upon the method of installationcommencing at a start step 930, the food waste disposer 500 is providedto the installation environment including alternative system componentsthat can be utilized to achieve corded or hardwired installation of thedisposer, at a step 901. It is then determined, at a step 902, whetherthe installation environment is one that includes an electric wall poweroutlet, such that corded installation is appropriate, or includes aRomex/BX cable such as the Romex/BX cable 800, such that hardwiredinstallation is appropriate. If it is determined that an electrical wallpower outlet is present, then (after the food waste disposer 500 isinstalled to a sink) the food waste disposer 500 is connected to a powersource using the provided power cord 700, by proceeding along a firstbranch of steps 910 subsequent to the step 902. More particularly, thisentails performing of a step 903, at which the power cord 700 with thecustom (e.g., modified C13 type) plug is provided, a step 904 at whichthe modified C13 type plug is connected to the appliance inlet powercord connection structure 506 of the food waste disposer, and a step 905at which the NEMA 5-15 plug 704 is connected to the wall outlet. Themethod then ends, as represented by an end step 940.

Alternatively, if it is determined that a Romex/BX cable such as theRomex/BX cable 800 is present and thus that hardwired installation isappropriate, then (after the food waste disposer 500 is installed to asink) the installer will attach the food waste disposer to that cable byproceeding along a second branch of steps 920 subsequent to the step902. More particularly as shown, to achieve coupling of the food wastedisposer 500 to the Romex/BX cable 800, the installer at a step 906feeds the Romex/BX cable 800 through the Romex coupler 706.Additionally, the installer at a step 907 then attaches the Romex/BXcable 800 to the Romex adapter 708, particularly by connecting theindividual lead wires 802 to the screws (or other terminals) 804 on theRomex adapter. Further, at a step 908, the installer completes theadapter assembly by positioning the Romex coupler 706 onto the remainderportion (or base) 808 of the Romex adapter 708 and attaching the coverportion 806 to the remainder portion 808 (again, in this exampleembodiment, by way of the screws 810). Finally, upon completion of thesteps 906, 907, and 908, the hardwired installation process is completedat a step 909 when the installer inserts the custom plug 710 of theRomex adapter 712 into the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure 506. The method then ends, again as represented by the endstep 940.

It should be appreciated that, in general, overall attachment of theRomex adapter 708, Romex coupler 706, and Romex/BX cable 800 with oneanother in the present embodiment is achieved as a result of theperforming of the steps 906, 907, and 908. Nevertheless, notwithstandingthe present description, it should be appreciated that in alternateembodiments the aforementioned steps, or portions of these steps, can beperformed in different orders, and/or one or more alternate steps (orsubsteps) can be performed in addition to, or instead of, theaforementioned steps or portions of the aforementioned steps. Forexample, in one example of an alternate embodiment, the Romex coupler706 can be positioned onto the remainder portion 808 of the Romexadapter 708 prior to the connecting of the lead wires 802 to the screws810.

Additionally, although in the flow chart 900 the step 902 at which theinstallation environment is determined occurs subsequent to the step 901at which the food waste disposer including alternative system componentsis provided, an installer need not make a determination of the type ofinstallation environment at a time when the installer is physicallypresent at the installation environment, or at a time after which theinstaller has already brought the food waste disposer 500 and all of thealternative system components suited for corded and hardwiredinstallation to installation site. It is also possible that, in somecases, an installer will be apprised of whether an installationenvironment will be suited for corded or hardwired installation prior tothe installer being physically at that site and, in some such cases, itmay be possible that the installer will only bring to the installationsite certain one(s) of the alternative system components that are suitedfor that environment. For example, if an installer knows that aparticular home has a wall outlet beneath the sink, the installer maybring the power cord 700 to that home but not any of the Romex coupler706 or Romex adapter 708. Alternatively for example, if an installerknows that a particular home has a Romex/BX cable, the installer maybring the Romex coupler 706 and Romex adapter 708 but not the power cord700.

Depending upon the circumstance or embodiment, the food waste disposer500 can be understood as including all of the alternative systemcomponents suited for each of corded and hardwired installation, such as(in the present example embodiment) all of the power cord 700, the Romexcoupler 706, and Romex adapter 708. Alternatively, however, the foodwaste disposer 500 also can be understood as including a subset of thosealternative system components (e.g., only the Romex coupler 706 andRomex adapter 708, or only the power cord 700). For example, the foodwaste disposer 500 can be understood as including only those of thealternative system components that are actually implemented at theinstallation site. Further alternatively, the food waste disposer 500can be understood as not including any of those alternative systemcomponents that may or may not be implemented depending upon whether theinstallation site is suitable for corded installation or hardwiredinstallation. For example, the food waste disposer 500 can be understoodas including the structures shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 but not any ofthe structures shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, and the structures shown inFIG. 7 and FIG. 8 can be considered distinct and separate from the foodwaste disposer itself.

It should be recognized that the food waste disposer and associatedalternative system components described above in relation to FIGS. 5, 6,7, and 8, and the method of installing same shown by the flow chart 900of FIG. 9, can provide one or more advantages relative to conventionalfood waste disposer arrangements. For example, because this food wastedisposer arrangement is equally suitable for corded and hardwiredinstallation, there is no need to manufacture two distinct food wastedisposer products that are respectively suited for corded installationor hardwired installation. That is, there is no difference betweenuncorded or pre-corded disposers during manufacture, and the installercan use the provided power cord 700 or the Romex adapter 708 and Romexcoupler 706 for any particular installation site. Also, in the presentembodiment, all wiring related to connecting the food waste disposer 500to a power source is positioned externally of the main body of the foodwaste disposer (e.g., external to the LEF 502 and stator band 504, orexternal to the entire food waste disposer 500 if the food wastedisposer is understood as not including any of the alternative systemcomponents), and this can reduce the likelihood of installation errors.Further, the detachable power cord 700 does not need to be assembled to(or as part of) the food waste disposer prior to packaging and can bebetter positioned in the carton to prevent damage during shipping.

Turning to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13A, 13B, 13C, and 14, features of a secondexample embodiment of a food waste disposer 1000 are shown, where againthe food waste disposer can be installed in a home so as to receiveelectric power in either of two alternative manners depending uponwhether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet. FIG. 10shows a side view of the food waste disposer that also particularlyreveals part of the bottom of the food waste disposer 1000 in a mannerillustrative of how it would be received by the customer. In particular,FIG. 10 provides a bottom perspective view of a part of a LEF 1002 and astator band 1004 of the food waste disposer 1000. Relatedly, FIG. 12(similar to FIG. 6) shows a top perspective view of a portion of the LEF1002 (and associated components), which includes a start switch module1014 and an appliance inlet power cord connection structure 1006, whichis part of the start switch module 1014 and which can be or include amodified C14 type appliance inlet (FIG. 12 also shows terminals 1201that are for a cluster block connector from a motor). Further, FIG. 11provides an additional side view of portions of the food waste disposer1000 in which the stator band 1004 is removed so as to reveal in moredetail certain internal features 1100 of the food waste disposer (e.g.,the motor thereof).

Additionally, similar to FIG. 7A, 7B, and 7C, respectively, FIG. 13A,FIG. 13B, and FIG. 13C respectively show system components inconjunction with which the food waste disposer 1000 can be installed, soas to permit the food waste disposer to achieve either cordedinstallation or hardwired installation depending upon whether theenvironment (e.g., home kitchen) within which the food wasted disposeris being installed includes an electrical wall outlet or a Romex/BXcable. FIG. 13A particularly shows a power cord 1300 that allows forcorded installation in an environment in which there is an electricalwall outlet, and that includes both a modified C13 type plug 1302 at afirst end of the cord and a NEMA 5-15 plug 1304 at a second (e.g.,opposite) end of the cord. By comparison, FIG. 13B and FIG. 13Crespectively show a Romex/BX (or simply Romex) coupler 1306 and aRomex/BX adapter with custom plug (or simply Romex adapter) 1308, whichincludes both a modified C13 type plug 1310 on a first side (or end) ofthe adapter and a Romex/BX coupling assembly 1312 on a second side (orend) of the adapter.

Additionally, as further illustrated by FIG. 14, in an installationenvironment in which a Romex/BX cable 1400 is present, an installer canpass an end of the Romex/BX cable through the Romex coupler 1306 andattach lead wires 1402 extending from an end of that Romex/BX cable toscrews 1404 of the Romex/BX coupling assembly 1312. As should be evidentfrom FIG. 14, which provides a partly-exploded view of the Romex/BXcoupling assembly 1312 in which a cover portion 1406 is exploded from aremainder portion 1408 of that coupling assembly, the Romex coupler 1306can be attached to/retained in relation to the Romex/BX couplingassembly 1312 when the cover portion 1406 is assembled to the remainderportion 1408 (e.g., by way of screws 1410).

Based upon a comparison of FIGS. 5, 6, 7A-7C and 8 with FIGS. 10, 12,13A-13C, and 14, respectively, it should be appreciated that the foodwaste disposer 1000 and associated system components are eitheridentical to (e.g., in the case of the power cord 1300 relative to thepower cord 700) or similar to the food waste disposer 500 and associatedsystem components thereof and, in particular, there is a one-to-onecorrespondence between the respective components of the food wastedisposer 1000 and the respective components of the food waste disposer500. The food waste disposer 1000 primarily differs from the food wastedisposer 500 in that, although the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure 506 of the food waste disposer 500 is positioned along the LEF502, the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 1006 ispositioned along the side of the stator 1004 (e.g., along the outercircumferential surface of the food waste disposer 1000) rather thanalong the LEF 1002. That is, although the modified C14 type applianceinlet of the food waste disposer 500 is accessible through an opening inthe LEF 502, the modified C14 type appliance inlet of the food wastedisposer 1000 is accessible through an opening in the stator band 1004rather than through an opening in the LEF 1002.

In view of this difference between the food waste disposer 1000 and foodwaste disposer 500, there is an additional corresponding differencebetween the shape of the Romex adapter 1308 relative to the shape of theRomex adapter 708. In particular, as is evident from FIG. 13C and FIG.14, the modified C13 type plug 1310 of the Romex adapter 1308 extendsoutward from the Romex adapter 1308 in a direction that is perpendicularto, or substantially perpendicular to, a direction in which the Romex/BXcoupling assembly 1312 extends outward from the Romex adapter (that is,the two portions of the Romex adapter extend at right angles relative toone another). This is in contrast to the modified C13 type plug 710 andRomex/BX coupling assembly 712 of the Romex adapter 708, which generallyextend outward from the Romex adapter in opposite directions that areparallel or substantially parallel to another. This difference betweenthe Romex adapter 708 and Romex adapter 1308 exists primarily to permitinstallation of the food waste disposer 1000 in a manner thataccommodates a Romex/BX cable that approaches the food waste disposerfrom a location generally beneath the food waste disposer.

Notwithstanding the above-described differences between the food wastedisposer 1000 and associated system components and the food wastedisposer 500 and associated system components, nevertheless it should beappreciated that the food waste disposer 1000 can be installed in amanner that is identical or substantially similar to that shown by theflow chart 900 of FIG. 9. Again, depending upon whether the installationenvironment in which the food waste disposer 1000 is being installedincludes a wall outlet or a Romex/BX cable, respectively, either thefirst branch of steps 910 or the second branch of steps 920 areperformed.

Turning to FIGS. 15, 16, 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, and 17E, features of athird example embodiment of a food waste disposer 1500 are shown, whereagain the food waste disposer can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet. FIG.15 shows a bottom perspective view of portions the food waste disposer1500 that also particularly reveals part of the bottom of the food wastedisposer 1500 in a manner illustrative of the unit after the Romex/BXcable or cord is installed. Similar to FIG. 5, the bottom perspectiveview provided by FIG. 15 shows a LEF 1502 and a stator band 1504 of thefood waste disposer 1500. Relatedly, FIG. 16 (similar to FIG. 6) shows atop perspective view of the LEF 1502 (and associated components), whichincludes a start switch module 1514 (FIG. 16 also shows terminals 1601that are for a cluster block connector from a motor).

In contrast to the food waste disposer 500 of FIG. 5 (and the food wastedisposer 1000 of FIG. 10), the food waste disposer 1500 does not includeany appliance inlet power cord connection structure that corresponds tothe structure 506 (or the structure 1006), but rather includes otherfeatures by which the food waste disposer can be installed inenvironments in which there are either a wall outlet or a Romex/BXcable. More particularly in this regard, the food waste disposer 1500includes (or is configured to be implemented in conjunction with) systemcomponents shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, and 17E. FIG. 17A shows apower cord 1700 that includes lead wires 1702 at a first end and a NEMA5-15 plug 1704 at a second end. FIGS. 17B and 17C respectively show aRomex coupler plate 1706 and a terminal cover 1708, each of which can bepositioned along and coupled to (e.g., by way of screws) a bottomsurface of the LEF 1502 so as to cover over (or substantially coverover) respective orifices within the LEF. FIG. 17D additionally shows apair of lead couplers 1710 and FIG. 17E shows an assembly 1712 includinga cluster block connector 1714 along with lead wires 1716 extendingtherefrom.

It should be appreciated from FIGS. 15, 16, and 17B that the Romexcoupler plate 1706 particularly includes an adjustable clamp feature1718 (e.g., which can be adjusted in tightness for example by way ofscrews as illustrated). In the present embodiment, either a Romex/BXcable (such as the Romex/BX cable 800 of FIG. 8) or the power cord 1700can be positioned through and held within (after tightening of) theadjustable clamp feature, depending upon whether installationenvironment is one in which the Romex/BX cable is present or instead awall outlet is present, such that use of the power cord 1700 isappropriate for installation of the food waste disposer 1500. FIG. 15and FIG. 16 both show the Romex coupler plate 1706 to be attached to theLEF 1502, with a cord structure 1720 extending from a location outsideof (e.g., from beneath) the LEF 1502 through the clamp feature 1718 to alocation within an interior of the food waste disposer 1500. It shouldbe appreciated that the cord structure 1720 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 isintended to be representative of each of a Romex/BX cable or the powercord 1700, even though only one or other of these two cord structureswould extend into the food waste disposer 1500 in any given installationenvironment.

FIG. 16 particularly illustrates how the cord structure 1720, regardlessof whether it is a Romex/BX cable or the power cord 1700 that extendsthrough the Romex coupler plate 1706, can be coupled to the start switchmodule 1514 so as to allow power to be provided to the food wastedisposer 1500. As shown, when the food waste disposer 1500 is fullyinstalled, the cluster block connector 1714 of the assembly 1712 iscoupled (inserted relative to) the start switch module 1514 and the leadwires 1716 are coupled to lead wires (or leads) 1722 extending from thecord structure 1720, by way of the lead couplers 1710.

FIG. 16 is intended to be illustrative of each of an installationscenario in which the cord structure 1720 is the power cord 1700 becausethe installation environment includes a wall outlet, and also anotherinstallation scenario in which the installation environment includes aRomex/BX cable, such that the cord structure 1720 is a Romex/BX cable.To the extent that the cord structure 1720 is the power cord 1700, thenthe lead wires 1722 are the lead wires 1702 of the power cord, andalternatively, to the extent that the cord structure 1720 is a Romex/BXcable, then the lead wires 1722 are lead wires extending from thatcable. Finally, it can be noted that the lead wires 1722 in the presentexample embodiment include each of three different wires. Two of thelead wires (e.g., a black lead wire and a white lead wire) arerespectively coupled by way of respective ones of the lead couplers 1710to respective ones (e.g., to black and white ones) of the lead wires1716 of the assembly 1714. However, a third one 1724 of the lead wires1722 can be a grounding wire and can be coupled to a grounding locationon the LEF 1502.

As with the food waste disposers 500 and 1000 and as described inrelation to FIG. 9, the method of installation of the food wastedisposer 1500 can entail a process that involves either of two branchesof steps depending whether the installation environment includes a walloutlet or a Romex/BX cable. The installer would use/implement either thepower cord 1700 or the Romex/BX cable (already present at theinstallation environment/home) in relation to the Romex coupler plate1706 as appropriate given the particular installation environment. Thus,the method of installation of the food waste disposer 1500 can includeeach of the steps 901 and 902 as shown in FIG. 9, and based upon theinstallation environment, can entail either of two branches of stepscorresponding to the first branch of steps 910 and second branch ofsteps 920.

However, it should be recognized that the exact steps of the firstbranch of steps and second branch of steps that are performed to achieveinstallation of the food waste disposer 1500 will differ from thoseshown in FIG. 9, due to the structural differences between the foodwaste disposer 1500 and the food waste disposers 500, 1000. Indeed,rather than involving performance of the steps 903 through 909 shown inFIG. 9, instead installation of the food waste disposer 1500 entailssteps 1801, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1809, 1810 and1811 of a flow chart 1800 shown in FIG. 18. As illustrated, the flowchart 1800 can be considered to represent each of two subprocesses orbranches of steps, namely, a first alternate branch of steps (in placeof the first branch of steps 910) that involves installation via thepower cord 1700 if it is performed between points C and D of FIG. 9, andalso a second alternate branch of steps (in place of the second branchof steps 912) that involves installation via a Romex/BX cable if it isperformed between points A and B of FIG. 9. That is, the flow chart 1800includes eleven steps 1801 through 1811 that are each performed, inrelation to either the power cord 1700 or a Romex/BX cable dependingupon the installation environment.

More particularly as shown, the subprocesses represented by the flowchart 1800 each begin at the step 1801, at which the terminal cover 1708is removed from the LEF 1502. Next, at a step 1802, the installer canpull the motor wires (e.g., the lead wires 1716) through a terminalcover opening within the LEF 1502, which is open due to removal of theterminal cover 1708. Further, at a step 1803, the cord structure 1720(either the power cord 1700 or the Romex/BX cable, depending upon theinstallation environment) including associated lead wires such as thelead wires 1722 can be fed through the Romex coupler plate 1706. Next,at a step 1804, a ground screw (not shown) on the LEF 1502 can beloosened and then, at a step 1805, a ground lead wire of the cordstructure 1720 (e.g., the third one 1724 of the lead wires 1722 shown inFIG. 16) is coupled to the ground screw (or another ground location onthe LEF 1502, if such a ground screw is not available). As alreadydiscussed earlier, the cord structure 1720 can be either the power cord1700 or a Romex/BX cable and thus the step 1805 entails securing eithera ground lead wire of the power cord or a ground lead wire of a Romex/BXcable to a ground screw (or other ground location).

Further, at steps 1806 and 1807, first and second additional (e.g.,white and black) ones of the lead wires (or wire leads) 1722 of the cordstructure 1720 are respectively coupled to first and second lead wires(or motor leads) 1716 of the assembly 1714. Again, the cord structure1720 can be either the power cord 1700 or a Romex/BX cable, and thus thesteps 1806 and 1807 entail either securing the respective lead wires1702 of the power cord 1700 to the respective motor lead wires 1716 orsecuring respective lead wires of a Romex/BX cable (e.g., such as thelead wires 802 or 1402 discussed above) to the motor lead wires 1716depending upon the installation environment, by way of the couplers1710. It should be appreciated that these steps of coupling the leadwires 1722 to the lead wires 1716 by way of the couplers 1710 isperformed outside of the interior of the food waste disposer, as all ofthese lead wires are at this time extending outward beneath the bottomof the LEF 1502 via the opening existing due to the removal of theterminal cover 1708.

Next, at a step 1808, the Romex coupler plate (or Romex/BX coupler) 1706is attached to the bottom of the LEF 1502. In the present embodiment,such attachment can be accomplished by way of screws (so that thecoupler plate is screwed into the bottom of the LEF). Further, at a step1809, the lead wires 1716 and 1722 and couplers 1710 linking those leadwires, which are not yet positioned within the interior of the foodwaste disposer 1500, are pushed through the terminal cover opening backinto the interior (e.g., the wiring compartment) of the food wastedisposer 1500. Then, at a step 1810 the Romex coupler plate 1706 issecured to the cord structure 1720 (either the power cord 1700 or theRomex/BX cable, depending upon the installation environment) by way ofadjustment of the adjustable clamp feature 1718. Finally, at a step 1811the installer re-attaches the terminal cover 1708 to the LEF 1502 (inthis example, by way of a screw).

It will be recognized that the flow chart 1800 includes some steps thatare identical or similar to those of the flow chart 320 if FIG. 3.However, it should be further recognized that the flow chart 1800differs from the flow chart 320 in a number of respects. In particular,the flow chart 1800 lacks any step corresponding to the step 305(involving pulling a cord/Romex/BX lead wires out through a terminalcover opening). Also, several of the steps of the flow chart 1800 (e.g.,the steps 1805, 1806, and 1807 of the flow chart 1800 involving securingor connecting of lead wires) are performed prior to the step 1808 atwhich the Romex coupler plate 1706 is attached (e.g., screwed into) thebottom of the LEF 1502. This is in contrast to the steps 307, 308, and309 of the flow chart 320, which occur well after the step 302 at whicha Romex/BX coupler is screwed into the bottom of the LEF.

The features of the food waste disposer 1500 and associated systemcomponents, and method of installing such a food waste disposer, can beadvantageous in several respects. For example, it is expected that theabove-described change in the ordering of the steps so that thesecuring/connecting of lead wires (e.g., at the steps 1805, 1806, and1807) occurs prior to the attachment of the Romex coupler plate 1706(e.g., at the step 1808) should simplify the process of making theelectrical connections. In particular, the lead wires 1716 can becoupled to the lead wires 1722 at a location outside of the interior ofthe food waste disposer 1502. After the lead wires 1716 and 1722 havebeen coupled, then the coupled sets of lead wires (including thecouplers 1710) can be moved back into the interior of the food wastedisposer via the orifice in the LEF 1502 that is to be substantiallycovered by the Romex coupler plate 1706 and the terminal cover 1708,after which time both the terminal cover and the Romex coupler plate,along with a portion of the cord structure 1720 proceeding therethrough,can be assembled to the LEF 1502. Additionally, it should be appreciatedthat, in the case of the food waste disposer 1500 and associated systemcomponents, there is no difference between uncorded or pre-cordeddisposers during manufacture. Also, since the disposer is notpre-corded, the power cord can be better positioned in the carton toprevent damage during shipping.

Turning to FIGS. 19, 20, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G, featuresof a fourth example embodiment of a food waste disposer 1900 are shown,where again the food waste disposer can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet. FIG.19 shows a bottom perspective view of portions the food waste disposer1900 that also particularly reveals the food waste disposer 1900 in amanner illustrative of how it would be received by the customer. Similarto FIG. 15, the bottom perspective view provided by FIG. 19 shows a LEF1902 and a stator band 1904 of the food waste disposer 1900. Relatedly,FIG. 20 (similar to FIG. 16) shows a top perspective view of portions ofthe LEF 1902 (and associated components), which includes a start switchmodule 1914 (FIG. 20 also shows terminals 2001 that are for a clusterblock connector from a motor).

In contrast to the food waste disposer 1500 of FIG. 15 (but similar tothe food waste disposers 500 and 1000 of FIGS. 5 and 10), the food wastedisposer 1900 includes an appliance inlet module (or assembly) 2006 thatis shown in FIG. 20. The appliance inlet module 2006 has a receptacle2115 (see FIG. 21F) that can be exposed along the bottom surface of theLEF 1902 and can receive, depending upon the implementation of the foodwaste disposer 1900, a power cord 2100 shown in FIG. 21A. As will bediscussed in further detail below, however, in the present embodimentthe appliance inlet module 2006 is not configured to receive anymodified C13 type plug of any Romex adapter as was the case with theRomex adapters 708 and 1308 employed with the food waste disposers 500and 100 of FIGS. 8 and 14.

Additionally, the food waste disposer 1900 also includes (or isconfigured to be implemented in conjunction with) system components thatare shown in FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G. FIG. 21Aparticularly shows the power cord 2100 that includes a modified C13 typeplug 2102 at a first end and a NEMA 5-15 plug 2104 at a second end.FIGS. 21B and 21C respectively show a Romex coupler plate 2106 and aterminal cover 2108, each of which can be positioned along and coupled(e.g., by way of screws) to a bottom surface of the LEF 1902 so as tocover over (or substantially cover over) respective orifices within theLEF. FIG. 21D additionally shows a pair of lead couplers 2110 and FIG.17E shows an assembly 2112 including a cluster block connector 2114along with lead wires 2116 extending therefrom. Additionally, FIG. 21Fshows the appliance inlet module 2006 separate and apart from the LEF102, with the receptacle 2115 of that appliance inlet module (which iscapable of receiving the plug 2102) being visible, and FIG. 21G shows anappliance inlet cover 2116 that can be mounted over the receptacle 2115so as to preclude access to that receptacle.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 19 particularly shows the applianceinlet cover 2116 as being mounted in place (e.g., via screws 2117) overthe receptacle 2115 of the appliance inlet module 2006 so as to precludeaccess to that receptacle. Additionally, it should also be appreciatedfrom FIGS. 19, 20, and 21B that the Romex coupler plate 2106 includes anadjustable clamp feature 2118 (e.g., which can be adjusted in tightnessfor example by way of screws as illustrated). Although not shown in FIG.19, 20, or 21B, it should further be appreciated that a Romex/BX cable(which can be the same as the Romex cables 800 and 1400 of FIGS. 8 and14) can be positioned through and held within the adjustable clampfeature 2118 (after tightening of the adjustable clamp feature), in thesame manner as the cord structure 1720 is held within the adjustableclamp feature of FIG. 17B.

FIG. 20 particularly illustrates internal wiring within the food wastedisposer 1900 that allows for one or both of the appliance inlet module2006 and a Romex/BX cable (not shown in FIG. 20) to be coupled directlyor indirectly to the start switch module 1914 so that power can beprovided to the start switch module (and thus to a motor within the foodwaste disposer), either from a wall outlet that is coupled to theappliance inlet module by way of the power cord, or from the Romex/BXcable. As shown, the cluster block connector 2114 of the assembly 2112is directly plugged into the start switch module 1914, and the leadwires 2116 are coupled to the appliance inlet module 2006. An additionallead wire 2008 is shown to couple a ground terminal 2010 of theappliance inlet module 2006 with a ground screw 2012 on the LEF 1902.Additionally, further lead wires 2020 are also provided that are coupledto the appliance inlet module 2006 that can in turn (at opposite endsthereof) be coupled to lead wires from the Romex/BX cable (e.g., such asthe lead wires 1722 discussed above) by way of the couplers 2110. Withthis connection arrangement, power can be provided to the start switchmodule 1914 via the appliance inlet module 2006 and the assembly 2112 ifthe power cord 2100 is coupled between an electric wall outlet and theappliance inlet module, or alternatively if the Romex/BX cable iscoupled to the further lead wires 2020.

In view of the above discussion, the method of installation of the foodwaste disposer 1900 includes aspects that are as shown in FIG. 9 and/orFIG. 18 depending upon whether the installation environment includes awall outlet or a Romex/BX cable. More particularly, if the installationenvironment includes a wall outlet, the method includes each of thesteps 901 and 902 (in addition to the start step 930), as well as eachof the steps 903, 904, and 905 of the first branch of steps 910 (inaddition to the end step 940). Because the food waste disposer 1900 alsoincludes the appliance inlet cover 2116, the method in such acircumstance can also include an additional step 912 (shown in phantom),in which the appliance inlet cover is removed so as to permit the plug2102 of the power cord 2100 to be inserted into the receptacle 2115.

Alternatively, if the installation environment includes a Romex/BXcable, the method of installation of the food waste disposer 1900includes each of the steps 901 and 902 (in addition to the start step930) and then further the steps of the flow chart 1800 of FIG. 18 (inaddition to the end step 940), which again serve as the second alternatebranch of steps performed between points A and B of FIG. 9 as discussedabove. More particularly, again as shown in FIG. 18, installationinvolving a Romex/BX cable (subsequent to the step 902) first involvesremoving the terminal cover 2108 from the LEF 1902 at the step 1801.Next, at the step 1802, the installer can pull the motor wires (e.g.,the further lead wires 2020) through a terminal cover opening within theLEF 1902, which is open due to removal of the terminal cover 2108.Further, at the step 1803, the Romex/BX cable including associated leadwires (e.g., corresponding to the lead wires 1722 shown in FIG. 16) canbe fed through the Romex coupler plate 2106. Next, at the step 1804, theground screw 2012 on the LEF 1902 can be loosened and then, at the step1805, a ground lead wire of the Romex/BX cable is coupled to the groundscrew (or another ground location on the LEF 1902, if such a groundscrew is not available).

Further, at the steps 1806 and 1807, first and second additional (e.g.,white and black) ones of the lead wires (or wire leads) of the Romex/BXcable (e.g., corresponding to the lead wires 1722 of the cord structure1720 shown in FIG. 16) are respectively coupled to first and second(e.g., white and black) ones of the further (e.g., motor) lead wires2020 by way of the couplers 2110. It should be appreciated that thesesteps of coupling the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable to the furtherlead wires 2020 by way of the couplers 2110 is performed outside of theinterior of the food waste disposer, as all of these lead wires are atthis time extending outward beneath the bottom of the LEF 1902 via theopening existing due to the removal of the terminal cover 2108.

Next, at the step 1808, the Romex coupler plate (or Romex/BX coupler)2106 is attached to the bottom of the LEF 1902. In the presentembodiment, such attachment can be accomplished by way of screws (sothat the coupler plate is screwed into the bottom of the LEF). Further,at the step 1809, the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable (e.g.,corresponding to the lead wires 1722), the further lead wires 2020, andthe couplers 2110 linking those lead wires, which are not yet positionedwithin the interior of the food waste disposer 1900, are pushed throughthe terminal cover opening back into the interior (e.g., the wiringcompartment) of the food waste disposer 1900. Then, at the step 1810 theRomex coupler plate 2106 is secured to the Romex/BX cable by way ofadjustment of the adjustable clamp feature 2118. Finally, at the step1811 the installer re-attaches the terminal cover 2108 to the LEF 1902(in this example, by way of a screw).

In view of the above description, it should be recognized that the foodwaste disposer 1900 differs from the previously described embodiments inthat, although the appliance inlet module 2006 allows for plugging-in ofa power cord as is the case with the food waste disposers 500 and 1000when the installation environment entails a wall outlet, the applianceinlet module merely serves as an intermediate node (or nodes) when theinstallation environment entails a Romex/BX cable. Also, in contrast tothe food waste disposers 500 and 1000, but similar to the food wastedisposer 1500, lead wire coupling is performed to permit installationrelative to a Romex/BX cable. Further, it should be recognized that thefourth embodiment of the food waste disposer 1900 includes both themodified C14 type appliance inlet and the Romex coupler plate and that,if the installer is using the provided power cord, then the applianceinlet cover 2116 must be removed from the appliance inlet module 2006.

In view of the above characteristics, the food waste disposer 1900 canto some degree be considered a hybrid of the food waste disposers 500,1000, and 1500. Similar to the installation methods for the food wastedisposers 500 and 1000, the installation method for the food wastedisposer 1900 involves connecting the disposer to a power source usingthe provided power cord 2100 when the installation environment entails awall outlet. That is, after the food waste disposer 1900 is physicallyinstalled (e.g., physically mounted to a sink), installation proceeds byconnecting the modified C13 type plug 2102 to the disposer applianceinlet module 2006 and the NEMA 5-15 plug 2104 to the wall outlet. Bycontrast, when the installation environment entails a Romex/BX cable,the installation method for the food waste disposer 1900 entails thesteps of the flow chart 1800 and is the same or substantially similar tothe method of installing the food waste disposer 1500 when that disposeris installed in an installation environment having a Romex/BX cable.

The features of the food waste disposer 1900 and associated systemcomponents, and method of installing such a food waste disposer, can beadvantageous in several respects. In particular, in the case of the foodwaste disposer 1900 and associated system components, there is nodifference between uncorded or pre-corded disposers during manufacture.The installer would use the power cord (provided) or Romex/BX cable(e.g., as present at the home installation environment) and the Romexcoupler plate (provided) depending upon the particular installation.Also, since the food waste disposer 1900 is not pre-corded, the powercord can be better positioned in the carton to prevent damage duringshipping.

Further, as discussed above, the method of the flow chart 1800 includessome steps that are identical or similar to those of the flow chart 320of FIG. 3, but nevertheless differs from the method of the flow chart320 in a number of respects. In particular, the flow chart 1800 lacks astep particularly corresponding to the step 305 of the flow chart 320.Also, several of the steps of the flow chart 1800 (e.g., the steps 1805,1806, and 1807 of the flow chart 1800 involving securing or connectingof lead wires) are performed prior to the step 1808 at which the Romexcoupler plate 2106 is attached (e.g., screwed into) the bottom of theLEF 1902. This is in contrast to the steps 307, 308, and 309 of the flowchart 320, which occur well after the step 302 at which a Romex/BXcoupler is screwed into the bottom of the LEF.

The above-described change in the ordering of the steps in aninstallation environment involving a Romex/BX cable, so that thesecuring/connecting of lead wires (e.g., at the steps 1805, 1806, and1807) occurs prior to the attachment of the Romex coupler plate 2106(e.g., at the step 1808), should simplify the process of making theelectrical connections. In particular, the lead wires 2020 can becoupled to the lead wires of a Romex/BX cable (e.g., corresponding tothe lead wires 1722) at a location outside of the interior of the foodwaste disposer 1900. After the lead wires have been coupled, then thecoupled sets of lead wires (including the couplers 2110) can be movedback into the interior of the food waste disposer via the orifice in theLEF 1902 that is to be substantially covered by the Romex coupler plate2106 and the terminal cover 2108, after which time both the terminalcover and the Romex coupler plate (along with a portion of the Romex/BXcable extending therethrough) can be assembled to the LEF 1902.

Referring next to FIGS. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, and 24E, features ofa fifth example embodiment of a food waste disposer 2200 are shown,where again the food waste disposer can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet. FIG.22 shows a bottom perspective view of portions the food waste disposer2200 that also particularly reveals the food waste disposer 2200 in amanner illustrative of how it would be received by the customer. Similarto FIG. 19, the bottom perspective view provided by FIG. 22 shows a LEF2202 and a stator band 2204 of the food waste disposer 2200. Relatedly,FIG. 23 (similar to FIG. 20) shows a top perspective view of portions ofthe LEF 2202 (and associated components), which includes a start switchmodule 2214 (FIG. 23 also shows terminals 2301 that are for a clusterblock connector from a motor). It should be additionally appreciatedthat, as shown in FIG. 23, an appliance inlet module (or simplyappliance inlet) 2306 is provided on the LEF 2202 and, in thisembodiment, is fully integrated with the start switch module 2214.

Additionally, the food waste disposer 2200 also includes (or isconfigured to be implemented in conjunction with) system components thatare shown in FIGS. 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, and 24E. FIG. 24A particularlyshows a power cord 2400, which includes a modified C13 type plug 2402 ata first end and a NEMA 5-15 plug 2404 at a second end, and which can beidentical to the power cord 2100 of FIG. 21A. FIGS. 24B and 24Crespectively show a Romex coupler plate 2406 and a terminal cover 2408,each of which can be positioned along and coupled (e.g., by way ofscrews) to a bottom surface of the LEF 2202 so as to cover over (orsubstantially cover over) respective orifices within the LEF. The Romexcoupler plate 2406 can be (but need not be) identical to the Romexcoupler plate 2106 of FIG. 21B, and in the present embodiment includesan adjustable clamp feature 2418 corresponding to the adjustable clampfeature 2118. Also, the terminal cover 2408 can be (but need not be)identical to the terminal cover 2108 of FIG. 21C. Additionally, FIG. 24Dshows a pair of lead couplers 2410, which can be (but need not be)identical to the lead couplers 2110 of FIG. 21D. Finally, FIG. 24E showsan appliance inlet cover 2416, which is also shown in FIG. 22 ascovering over a receptacle 2415 (shown in phantom) of the applianceinlet module 2306 (see FIG. 23). In the present embodiment, theappliance inlet cover 2416 has a shape that is different from theappliance inlet cover 2116, albeit in other embodiments the applianceinlet cover 2416 can have the same shape as the cover 2116.

The food waste disposer 2200 and is highly similar to, albeit notidentical to, the food waste disposer 1900 described above withreference to FIGS. 19, 20, and 21A through 21G. As in the case of thefood waste disposer 1900 (as well as the food waste disposers 500 and1000), the appliance inlet module 2306 allows for plugging-in of a powercord (e.g., the power cord 2400) when the installation environmententails a wall outlet. However, in the food waste disposer 2200, theappliance inlet module 2306 is connected directly to, or can be formedintegrally as part of, the start switch module 2214. That is, theinduction motor start switch module 2214 is modified to include theappliance inlet module (or appliance inlet) 2306, which is accessiblethrough an opening in the LEF 2202, and a set of terminals to allow easyelectrical connection to the stator during the manufacture and assemblyof the disposer.

Given this arrangement of the appliance inlet module 2306 and startswitch module 2214, there is no need for any assembly corresponding tothe assembly 2112 by which the start switch module 2214 is coupled tothe appliance inlet module 2306. Yet the food waste disposer 2200 doesstill include additional lead wires (or wire leads) 2320 that extendfrom the appliance inlet module 2306 and that correspond to the leadwires 2116 of the food waste disposer 1900. As with the food wastedisposer 1900, in an installation environment entailing a Romex/BXcable, the food waste disposer 2200 is installed relative to theRomex/BX by coupling the lead wires 2320 with lead wires from theRomex/BX cable via the couplers 2410. Further, it should be recognizedthat the fifth embodiment of the food waste disposer 2200 includes boththe modified C14 type appliance inlet and the Romex coupler plate andthat, if the installer is using the provided power cord, then theappliance inlet cover 2416 must be removed from the appliance inletmodule 2306.

In view of the above discussion, the method of installation of the foodwaste disposer 2200 is the same or substantially similar to the methodof installation of the food waste disposer 1900 discussed above. As withthe method of installation of the food waste disposer 1900, the methodof installation of the food waste disposer 2200 includes aspects thatare as shown in FIG. 9 and/or FIG. 18 depending upon whether theinstallation environment includes a wall outlet or a Romex/BX cable.More particularly, if the installation environment includes a walloutlet, the method includes each of the steps 901 and 902 (in additionto the start step 930), as well as each of the steps 903, 904, and 905of the first branch of steps 910 (in addition to the end step 940).Because the food waste disposer 2200 also includes the appliance inletcover 2416, the method in such a circumstance can also include theadditional step 912 (shown in phantom), in which the appliance inletcover is removed so as to permit the plug 2402 of the power cord 2400 tobe inserted into the receptacle 2415.

Alternatively, if the installation environment includes a Romex/BXcable, the method of installation of the food waste disposer 2200includes each of the steps 901 and 902 (in addition to the start step930) and then further the steps of the flow chart 1800 of FIG. 18 (inaddition to the end step 940), which again serve as the second alternatebranch of steps performed between points A and B of FIG. 9 as discussedabove. More particularly, again as shown in FIG. 18, installationinvolving a Romex/BX cable (subsequent to the step 902) first involvesremoving the terminal cover 2408 from the LEF 2202 at the step 1801.Next, at the step 1802, the installer can pull the motor wires (e.g.,the additional lead wires 2320) through a terminal cover opening withinthe LEF 2202, which is open due to removal of the terminal cover 2408.Further, at the step 1803, the Romex/BX cable including associated leadwires (e.g., corresponding to the lead wires 1722 shown in FIG. 16) canbe fed through the Romex coupler plate 2406. Although not shown in FIG.22 or 23, it should be appreciated that method of installation canfurther include, at the step 1804, loosening of a ground screw (notshown) on the LEF 2202 and then, at the step 1805, coupling of a groundlead wire of the Romex/BX cable to the ground screw (or another groundlocation on the LEF 2202, if such a ground screw is not available).

Further, at the steps 1806 and 1807, first and second additional (e.g.,white and black) ones of the lead wires (or wire leads) of the Romex/BXcable (e.g., corresponding to the lead wires 1722 of the cord structure1720 shown in FIG. 16) are respectively coupled to first and second(e.g., white and black) ones of the further (e.g., motor) lead wires2320 by way of the couplers 2410. It should be appreciated that thesesteps of coupling the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable to the furtherlead wires 2320 by way of the couplers 2410 is performed outside of theinterior of the food waste disposer, as all of these lead wires are atthis time extending outward beneath the bottom of the LEF 1202 via theopening existing due to the removal of the terminal cover 2408.

Next, at the step 1808, the Romex coupler plate (or Romex/BX coupler)2406 is attached to the bottom of the LEF 2202. In the presentembodiment, such attachment can be accomplished by way of screws (sothat the coupler plate is screwed into the bottom of the LEF). Further,at the step 1809, the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable (e.g.,corresponding to the lead wires 1722), the additional lead wires 2320,and the couplers 2410 linking those lead wires, which are not yetpositioned within the interior of the food waste disposer 2200, arepushed through the terminal cover opening back into the interior (e.g.,the wiring compartment) of the food waste disposer 2200. Then, at thestep 1810 the Romex coupler plate 2406 is secured to the Romex/BX cableby way of adjustment of the adjustable clamp feature 2418. Finally, atthe step 1811 the installer re-attaches the terminal cover 2408 to theLEF 2202 (in this example, by way of a screw).

In view of the above characteristics, the food waste disposer 2200 (asis the case with the food waste disposer 1900) can to some degree beconsidered a hybrid of the food waste disposers 500, 1000, and 1500.Similar to the food waste disposers 500 and 1000, when the installationenvironment entails a wall outlet, after the food waste disposer 1900 isphysically installed (e.g., physically mounted to a sink), the disposeris connected to a power source using the provided power cord 2400—thatis, by connecting the modified C13 type plug 2402 to the disposerappliance inlet module 2306 and the NEMA 5-15 plug 2404 to the walloutlet. By contrast, similar to the food waste disposer 1500, when theinstallation environment entails a Romex/BX cable, the installationmethod entails the steps of the flow chart 1800 and is the same orsubstantially similar to the method of installing the food wastedisposer 1500 when that disposer is installed in an installationenvironment having a Romex/BX cable.

The features of the food waste disposer 2200 and associated systemcomponents, and method of installing such a food waste disposer, can beadvantageous in several respects. In particular, in the case of the foodwaste disposer 2200 and associated system components, there is nodifference between uncorded or pre-corded disposers during manufacture.The installer would use the power cord (provided) or Romex/BX cable(e.g., as present at the home installation environment) and the Romexcoupler plate (provided) depending upon the particular installation.Also, since the food waste disposer 2200 is not pre-corded, the powercord can be better positioned in the carton to prevent damage duringshipping.

Further, as discussed above, the method of the flow chart 1800 includessome steps that are identical or similar to those of the flow chart 320of FIG. 3, but nevertheless differs from the method of the flow chart320 in a number of respects. In particular, the flow chart 1800 lacks astep particularly corresponding to the step 305 of the flow chart 320.Also, several of the steps of the flow chart 1800 (e.g., the steps 1805,1806, and 1807 of the flow chart 1800 involving securing or connectingof lead wires) are performed prior to the step 1808 at which the Romexcoupler plate 2406 is attached (e.g., screwed into) the bottom of theLEF 1902. This is in contrast to the steps 307, 308, and 309 of the flowchart 320, which occur well after the step 302 at which a Romex/BXcoupler is screwed into the bottom of the LEF.

The above-described change in the ordering of the steps in aninstallation environment involving a Romex/BX cable, so that thesecuring/connecting of lead wires (e.g., at the steps 1805, 1806, and1807) occurs prior to the attachment of the Romex coupler plate 2406(e.g., at the step 1808), should simplify the process of making theelectrical connections. In particular, the lead wires 2320 can becoupled to the lead wires of a Romex/BX cable (e.g., corresponding tothe lead wires 1722) at a location outside of the interior of the foodwaste disposer 2200. After the lead wires have been coupled, then thecoupled sets of lead wires (including the couplers 2410) can be movedback into the interior of the food waste disposer via the orifice in theLEF 2202 that is to be substantially covered by the Romex coupler plate2406 and the terminal cover 2408, after which time both the terminalcover and the Romex coupler plate (along with a portion of the Romex/BXcable extending therethrough) can be assembled to the LEF 2202.

Turning to FIGS. 25, 26, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D, 28, and 29, features of asixth example embodiment of a food waste disposer 2500 are shown, whereagain the food waste disposer can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet. FIG.25 shows a bottom perspective view of the food waste disposer 2500 thatreveals part of the bottom of the food waste disposer in a mannerillustrative of how it would be received by the customer. In particular,FIG. 25 provides a bottom perspective view of a LEF 2502 and a part of astator band 2504 of the food waste disposer 2500. Relatedly, FIG. 26(similar to FIG. 6) shows a top perspective view of a portion of the LEF2502 (and associated components), which includes a start switch module2514 and an appliance inlet module 2606, which is part of the inductionmotor start switch module 2514 and which can be or include an applianceinlet power cord connection structure 2506 that can be a modified C14type appliance inlet. It should be appreciated that, although the startswitch module 2514 includes the modified C14 type appliance inlet thatis accessible through an opening in the LEF, there is no access to theinternal motor compartment. The start switch module 2514 also includes aset of terminals to allow easy electrical connection to the statorduring the manufacture and assembly of the disposer (FIG. 26 also showsterminals 2601 that are for a cluster block connector from a motor).

Additionally, similar to FIG. 7A, 7B, and 7C, respectively, FIG. 27A,FIG. 27B, and FIG. 27C respectively show system components inconjunction with which the food waste disposer 2500 can be installed, soas to permit the food waste disposer to achieve either cordedinstallation or hardwired installation depending upon whether theenvironment (e.g., home kitchen) within which the food wasted disposeris being installed includes an electrical wall outlet or a Romex/BXcable. FIG. 27A particularly shows a power cord 2700 that allows forcorded installation in an environment in which there is an electricalwall outlet, and that includes both a modified C13 type plug 2702 at afirst end of the cord and a NEMA 5-15 plug 2704 at a second (e.g.,opposite) end of the cord. After the food waste disposer 2500 isphysically installed (e.g., to a sink), the disposer is connected to apower source using the provided power cord 2700 and connecting themodified C13 type plug 2702 to the disposer appliance inlet power cordconnection structure 2506 and the NEMA 5-15 plug 2704 to the walloutlet.

By comparison, FIG. 27B and FIG. 27C respectively show system componentsthat are utilized for installation an environment in which there is aRomex/BX cable. More particularly, FIG. 27B and FIG. 27C respectivelyshow a Romex/BX (or simply Romex) coupler 2706 and a Romex/BX cableadapter (or simply Romex adapter) 2708, which includes both a modifiedC13 type plug 2710 on a first side (or end) of the adapter and aRomex/BX coupling assembly 2712 on a second side (or end) of theadapter. In addition to the system components shown in FIGS. 27A, 27B,and 27C, in the present embodiment the food waste disposer 2500 also canbe installed in conjunction with (or include) an additional terminalcover 2714 shown in FIG. 27D, which includes an orifice 2716, and forwhich there is no counterpart in the food waste disposer 500 that is thesubject of FIGS. 5, 6, 7A-7C, and 8).

FIGS. 28 and 29 are additionally provided to illustrate how several ofthe system components shown in FIGS. 27A, 27B, 27C, and 27D are utilizedfor installation of the food waste disposer 2500 in an installationenvironment in which a Romex/BX cable 2800 is present. In this regard,FIG. 28 particularly provides an exploded view of a subassembly of thesystem components in relation to the Romex/BX cable 2800 prior tocoupling of the subassembly to the appliance inlet module 2606 of thefood waste disposer 2500, and FIG. 29 shows that subassembly after ithas been assembled in relation to the LEF 2502 of the food wastedisposer.

More particularly, it should be appreciated from FIGS. 28 and 29 that aninstaller can attach the Romex coupler 2706 to the terminal cover 2714by screwing threads 2707 (see FIG. 27B) into the orifice 2716 of theterminal cover. Additionally, an installer will pass an end of theRomex/BX cable 2800 through the Romex coupler 2706 and through theorifice 2716 of the terminal cover 2714. Upon doing so, the installercan further insert tips of lead wires 2802 extending from an end of thatRomex/BX cable into complementary holes 2803 within the Romex/BXcoupling assembly 2712 of the Romex adapter 2708. The installer thenadjusts the tightness of screws 2804 of the Romex/BX coupling assembly2712, so as to retain the lead wires 2802 within the holes 2803 andthereby complete formation of a subassembly that includes the Romexcoupler 2706, terminal cover 2714, and Romex adapter 2708, and that canadditionally be viewed as including the Romex/BX cable 2800 (or an endportion thereof). It should be noted that the Romex coupler 2706 canalso be tightened relative to the Romex/BX cable 2800 by way of anadjustable clamp feature that is substantially similar to the adjustableclamp feature 2418 of FIG. 24B. With this subassembly fully formed, aninstaller can complete the installation method by inserting the Romexadapter 2708 into the appliance inlet power cord connection structure2506 along the bottom surface of the LEF 2502, so that the plug 2710engages the appliance inlet module 2606, and further attaching theterminal cover 2714 to the bottom of the LEF 2502 (e.g., by way of ascrew).

In view of the above discussion, it will be appreciated that there aresignificant similarities between the food waste disposer 2500 andassociated system components and the food waste disposer 500 andassociated system components (as well as the food waste disposer 1000and associated system components). A primary difference between the foodwaste disposer 2500 and the food waste disposer 500 is that the Romexadapter 2708 takes a form that is smaller than Romex adapter 708 and issufficiently small that, when the Romex adapter 2708 is inserted intothe appliance inlet power cord connection structure 2506, it ispositioned sufficiently deeply that the terminal cover 2714 can bepositioned directly onto the bottom surface of the LEF 2502 and coupledto the LEF.

Notwithstanding the above-described differences between the food wastedisposer 2500 and associated system components and the food wastedisposer 500 and associated system components, nevertheless it should beappreciated that the food waste disposer 2500 can be installed in amanner that is identical or substantially similar to that shown by theflow chart 900 of FIG. 9. Again, depending upon whether the installationenvironment in which the food waste disposer 2500 is being installedincludes a wall outlet or a Romex/BX cable, respectively, either thefirst branch of steps 910 or the second branch of steps 920 areperformed. In an installation environment in which the Romex/BX cable2800 is present (e.g., for a hardwire installation with Romex/BX cable),the installer can attach the provided Romex adapter 2708, terminal cover2714, and Romex coupler 2706 to the Romex/BX cable, where attachment ofthe Romex adapter 2708 involves connecting the individual lead wires2802 from the Romex/BX cable 2800 to the terminals on the Romex adaptervia the screws 2804. The Romex coupler 2706 can be a commonly availableelectrical component typically used to ground metallic sheathed cable(BX) and/or secure the Romex/BX cable to another component such as anadapter or electrical outlet box.

It should be appreciated that, to the extent the second branch of steps920 is performed with respect to the food waste disposer 2500, thosesteps can be performed in a manner that takes into account theparticular structural characteristics of the food waste disposer 2500and associated system components. In particular, at the step 906, asalready discussed above, the Romex/BX cable 2800 should be fed throughboth the Romex coupler and the terminal cover 2714. Additionally,although the second branch of steps 920 is shown to include both thestep 907 at which the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable 2800 are securedto the Romex adapter 2708 and additionally the assembly of the Romexadapter is completed, in the case of the food waste disposer 2500 itwill be appreciated that the assembly of the Romex adapter iseffectively completed upon attachment of the lead wires of the Romex/BXcable to the Romex adapter. Thus, as indicated by a dashed arrow 914,the step 908 can be effectively bypassed during performance of thesecond branch of steps 920 in the case of the food waste disposer 2500.Finally, again given the presence of the terminal cover 2714 in thepresent embodiment, the second branch of steps 920 can additionally beviewed as including a step 916 following the step 909, at which theterminal cover 2714 is attached to the LEF 2502, prior the installationmethod ending at the end step 940.

The above-described sixth embodiment of the food waste disposer 2500 canbe advantageous in several respects. In particular, there are nodifferences between uncorded or pre-corded disposers during manufacture.The installer can use either the provided power cord 2700 or theRomex/BX adapter 2708 for any particular installation. Also, all wiringis external to the disposer and can therefore reduce the likelihood ofinstallation errors. Lastly the detachable cord does not need to beassembled to the food waste disposer 2500 prior to packaging and can bebetter positioned in the carton to prevent damage during shipping.

Referring next to FIGS. 30, 31, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 33, and 34,features of a seventh example embodiment of a food waste disposer 3000are shown, where again the food waste disposer can be installed in ahome so as to receive electric power in either of two alternativemanners depending upon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or awall outlet. FIG. 30 shows a bottom perspective view of portions thefood waste disposer 3000 that reveals the food waste disposer in amanner illustrative of how it would be received by the customer. Thebottom perspective view provided by FIG. 30 particularly shows a LEF3002 and a stator band 3004 of the food waste disposer 3000. Relatedly,FIG. 31 shows a top perspective view of portions of the LEF 3002 (andassociated components), which include a start switch module 3014 andalso terminals 3101 that are for a cluster block connector from a motor.The set of terminals (e.g., the terminals 3101) facilitates electricalconnection to the stator during the manufacture and assembly of thedisposer.

Additionally as shown, each of an internal wiring box 3105 and anappliance inlet module (or simply appliance inlet) 3106 are provided onthe LEF 3002 and, in this embodiment, are fully integrated with thestart switch module 3014. The appliance inlet module 3106 provides, asis evident from FIG. 30, an appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure 3006. The internal wiring box 3105 provides an internal spacewithin which wiring can be routed and, among other things, encloses aninternal wiring cavity 3010 that is adjacent to that appliance inletpower cord connection structure 3006 as shown in FIG. 30. These featuresof the induction motor start switch module 3014—that is, the applianceinlet module 3106, the appliance inlet power cord connection structure3006, the internal wiring box 3105, and the internal wiring cavity3010—particularly facilitate installation of the food waste disposer3000 in installation environment involving either a wall outlet or aRomex/BX cable. At the same time, even though the food waste disposer3000 includes these features, including the modified C14 type applianceinlet (e.g., as provided by the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure 3006) and the internal wiring cavity 3010, the food wastedisposer does not provide meaningful access to the internal motorcompartment.

Additionally, the food waste disposer 3000 also includes (or isconfigured to be implemented in conjunction with) system components thatare shown in FIGS. 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, and 32E. FIG. 32A particularlyshows a power cord 3200, which includes a modified C13 type plug 3202 ata first end and a NEMA 5-15 plug 3204 at a second end, and which can beidentical to the power cord 2400 of FIG. 24A. FIGS. 32B and 32Crespectively show a Romex coupler 3206 and a terminal cover 3208, eachof which can be positioned along and coupled to a bottom surface of theLEF 3002 so as to cover over (or substantially cover over) respectiveorifices within the LEF. In the present embodiment, the Romex coupler3206 can be positioned into and locked in position relative to a couplerorifice 3008 shown in FIG. 30, and includes an adjustable clamp feature3218 corresponding to the adjustable clamp feature 2418 shown in FIG.24B.

In the present embodiment, the terminal cover 3208 of FIG. 32C has anarcuate shape that is somewhat different from the terminal cover 2408.It should be appreciated that the shape and size of the terminal cover3208 are particularly configured so that the terminal cover will, whenattached to a bottom surface of the LEF 3002 (see FIG. 34), cover overboth the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 3006 and alsothe wiring cavity 3010 (as are shown in FIG. 30). Given its scope, in asense the terminal cover 3208 can be considered as serving the coveragepurposes of both of the terminal cover 2408 and the appliance inletcover 2416 of FIGS. 24C and 24E. Additionally, FIG. 32D shows a pair oflead couplers 3210, which can be (but need not be) identical to the leadcouplers 2410 of FIG. 24D. Finally, FIG. 32E shows a 3-wire hardwireadapter 3212 that includes a modified C13 type plug 3214 at a first endand three lead wires 3216 extending at a second end opposite the firstend.

As in the case of several of the other embodiments of food wastedisposers already discussed above (e.g., the food waste disposers 500,1000, 1900, 2200, and 2500), the appliance inlet module 3106 with theappliance inlet power cord connection structure 3006 allows forplugging-in of a power cord (e.g., the power cord 3200) when theinstallation environment entails a wall outlet. Thus, after the foodwaste disposer 3000 is physically installed (e.g., to a sink), thedisposer is connected to a power source using the provided power cord3200, by connecting the modified C13 type plug 3202 to the disposerappliance inlet power cord connection structure 3006 and the NEMA 5-15plug 3204 to the wall outlet. As already discussed, the appliance inletmodule 3106 is connected directly to, or can be formed integrally aspart of, the start switch module 3014 (that is, the induction motorstart switch module 3014 is modified to include the appliance inletmodule), with the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 3006being accessible through an opening in the LEF 3002. There is no need toemploy any assembly corresponding to the assembly 2112 by which thestart switch module 3014 is coupled to the appliance inlet module 3106.

By contrast, in an installation environment entailing a Romex/BX cable,the food waste disposer 3000 is installed relative to the Romex/BX cablethrough the use of the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3212. More particularly,referring to FIG. 33, an additional bottom perspective view of the foodwaste disposer 3000 is provided that shows a Romex/BX cable 3300 asinstalled through the Romex coupler 3206. When the Romex/BX cable 3300is positioned in this manner, lead wires of the Romex/BX cable (notshown) that correspond to the lead wires 1722 of FIG. 16 can be routedwithin the interior of the food waste disposer 3000 and particularlywithin the internal wiring box 3105 and into the wiring cavity 3010 viaa port 3302. Those lead wires of the Romex/BX cable 3300 in turn can becoupled to the lead wires 3216 of the 3-wire hardware adapter 3212 byway of the couplers 3210, and the 3-wire hardware adapter itself canalso be coupled to the appliance inlet power cord connection structure3006 by plugging-in of the modified C13 type plug 3214 into thatappliance inlet power cord connection structure.

In view of the above description, it can be seen that the 3-wirehardwire adapter 3212 of the seventh embodiment of the food wastedisposer 3000 performs a coupling role (in this case, by way of thecoupling afforded by the couplers 3210) in a manner that is somewhatanalogous to the role played by the Romex adapters 708 and 1308described above in regard to first and second embodiments of the foodwaste disposers 500 and 1000. As with the Romex adapters 708 and 1308,the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3212 allows the lead wires from the Romex/BXcable 3300 to be coupled to an appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure (in this case the structure 3006) that also is suitable forreceiving a modified C13 type plug (in this case, the plug 3202). At thesame time, however, it should be appreciated that the food wastedisposer 3000 differs from the food waste disposer 500 and 1000 in thatthe 3-wire hardwire adapter 3212, in contrast to the Romex adapters 708and 1308, is positioned within an enclosed cavity rather than exteriorlyof the food waste disposer 3000 when employed with the Romex/BX cable3300. More particularly as shown in FIG. 34, when the 3-wire hardwireadapter is fully implemented, that adapter along with the couplers 3210and the ends of the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable 3300 are allenclosed within the internal wiring cavity 3010 by way of the terminalcover 3208.

In view of the above discussion, the method of installation of the foodwaste disposer 3000 again will depend upon whether installationenvironment entails a wall outlet or the Romex/BX cable 3300. If themethod of installation involves a wall outlet, the method again proceedsin accordance with the flow chart 900 of FIG. 9 including the steps 901and step 902 (plus the start step 930), followed by the first branch ofsteps 910 (and the end step 940). However, if the method of installationinvolves the Romex/BX cable, then the method proceeds in accordance withthe flow chart of FIG. 9, including again the steps 901 and 902 (plusthe start step 930 and end step 940), except insofar as the steps of thesecond branch of steps between the points A and B are replaced byanother alternate second branch of steps 3501, 3502, 3503, 3504, 3505,3507, 3508, 3509, 3510, 3511, and 3512 shown in a flow chart 3500 ofFIG. 35.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 35, installation involving aRomex/BX cable (subsequent to the step 902) first involves removing theterminal cover 3208 from the LEF 3002 at the step 3501. Next, at thestep 3502, the installer attaches (e.g., screws) the Romex/BX coupler3206 into the coupler orifice 3008 along the bottom surface of the LEF3002. Next, at the step 3503, the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3212 isplugged into the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 3006.Next, at the step 3504, the Romex/BX cable 3300 and associated leadwires are inserted through the Romex coupler 3206, into the internalwiring box 3105 and further, at the step 3505, the installer can alsopull the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable 3300 through the port 3302,into the wiring cavity 3010, and effectively out of the interior of thefood waste disposer 3300 through the terminal cover opening madeaccessible due to the removal of the terminal cover 3208.

Further, at the steps 3507, 3508, and 3509, respectively, first, second,and third ones of the lead wires (e.g., a ground wire, white lead wire,and black lead wire) of the Romex/BX cable 3300 are respectively coupledto complementary ones of the lead wires 3216 (e.g., ground, white, andblack ones of those lead wires) of the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3212, byway of the couplers 3210. Next, at the step 3510, all of those coupledlead wires (or coupled lead wire ends) of the Romex/BX cable 3300 andthe 3-wire hardwire adapter 3212 and the associated couplers 3210 arepushed back through the terminal cover opening into the wiring cavity3010. Then, at the step 3511, the Romex coupler 3206 is secured to theRomex/BX cable 3300 (e.g., by way of the adjustable clamp feature 3218).Finally, at the step 3512, the terminal cover 3208 is re-attached to theLEF 3002 (e.g., by way of a screw), so as to completely enclose the leadwires of the Romex/BX cable 3300 and the 3-wire hardware adapter 3212within the wiring cavity 3010.

It will be recognized that the flow chart 3500 includes some steps thatare identical or similar to those of the flow chart 320 of FIG. 3.However, it should be further recognized that the flow chart 3500differs from the flow chart 320 in a number of respects. For example,the step 303 involving pulling motor wires out through the terminalcover opening is replaced with plugging in the provided 3-wire hardwireadapter 3212 to the modified C14 type appliance inlet at the step 3503.Also for example, rather than including the steps 306 through 309, theflow chart 3500 includes the steps 3507, 3508, and 3509 that involveconnecting the lead wires (e.g., the ground, white, and black leadwires) of the Romex/BX cable 3300 with corresponding lead wires of the3-wire hardwire adapter 3212.

The features of the food waste disposer 3000 and associated systemcomponents, and method of installing such a food waste disposer, can beadvantageous in several respects. Among other things, the design of thefood waste disposer 3000 is such that there is no difference (or nosubstantial difference) between uncorded or pre-corded disposers duringmanufacture--the installer can simply use the provided cord or 3-wirehardwire adapter for any particular installation. Also, the internalwiring box (part of the switch) limits access to the internal motorcompartment and can reduce installation errors. Lastly the detachablepower cord 3200 does not need to be assembled to the food waste disposerprior to packaging and can be better positioned in the carton to preventdamage during shipping.

Referring next to FIGS. 36, 37, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, and 39,features of an eighth example embodiment of a food waste disposer 3600are shown, where again the food waste disposer can be installed in ahome so as to receive electric power in either of two alternativemanners depending upon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or awall outlet. FIG. 36 shows a bottom perspective view of portions thefood waste disposer 3600 that reveals the food waste disposer in amanner illustrative of how it would be received by the customer. Thebottom perspective view provided by FIG. 36 particularly shows a LEF3602 and a stator band 3604 of the food waste disposer 3600. Alsoevident in FIG. 36 is an appliance inlet power cord connection structure3606. Further, the LEF 3602 also includes a lead wire cover 3610 and aterminal cover 3808 (see also FIG. 38C) that can be attached to thebottom surface of the LEF adjacent to one another. Removal of the leadwire cover 3610 and terminal cover 3808 from the LEF respectivelyresults in the exposure of a lead wire orifice and a terminal coverorifice, respectively.

Relatedly, FIG. 37 shows a top perspective view of portions of the LEF3602 (and associated components), which include a start switch module3614 and also terminals 3701 (included by the start switch module 3614)that are for a cluster block connector from a motor. The set ofterminals (e.g., the terminals 3701) facilitates electrical connectionto the stator during the manufacture and assembly of the disposer. Alsoin the present embodiment, the start switch module 3614 is connecteddirectly to or integrated with an appliance inlet module 3706, whichprovides the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 3606 thatis accessible through an opening in the LEF 3602 as shown in FIG. 36.

Additionally, the food waste disposer 3600 also includes (or isconfigured to be implemented in conjunction with) system components thatare shown in FIGS. 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, and 38F. FIG. 38Aparticularly shows a power cord 3800, which includes a modified C13 typeplug 3802 at a first end and a NEMA 5-15 plug 3804 at a second end, andwhich can be identical to the power cord 3200 of FIG. 32A. FIGS. 38B and38C respectively show a Romex coupler 3806 and the terminal cover 3808.The Romex coupler 3806 includes an adjustable clamp feature 3818corresponding to the adjustable clamp feature 3218 shown in FIG. 32B,and the terminal cover 3808 can be positioned along and coupled to abottom surface of the LEF 3602 so as to cover over (or substantiallycover over) a terminal cover orifice within the LEF. Additionally, FIG.38D shows a pair of lead couplers 3810.

Further, FIG. 38E shows a 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 that includes amodified C13 type plug 3814 at a first end and three lead wires 3816extending at a second end opposite the first end. The lead couplers 3810and 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 can respectively be (but need not be)identical to the lead couplers 3210 of FIG. 32D and the 3-wire hardwireadapter 3212 of FIG. 32E, respectively. Finally, FIG. 38F shows aperspective view of an external wire box 3820, which as described belowcan be understood as fulfilling a role that to some extent is analogousto the role played by the internal wiring box 3105 of the food wastedisposer 3000.

As in the case of several of the other embodiments of food wastedisposers already discussed above (e.g., the food waste disposers 500,1000, 1900, 2200, 2500, and 3000), the appliance inlet module 3706 withthe appliance inlet power cord connection structure 3606 allows forplugging-in of a power cord (e.g., the power cord 3800) when theinstallation environment entails a wall outlet. Thus, after the foodwaste disposer 3600 is physically installed (e.g., to a sink), thedisposer is connected to a power source using the provided power cord3800, by connecting the modified C13 type plug 3802 to the disposerappliance inlet power cord connection structure 3606 and the NEMA 5-15plug 3804 to the wall outlet. As already discussed, the appliance inletmodule 3706 is connected directly to, or can be formed integrally aspart of, the start switch module 3614 (that is, the induction motorstart switch module 3614 is modified to include the appliance inletmodule), with the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 3606being accessible through an opening in the LEF 3602. There is no need toemploy any assembly corresponding to the assembly 2112 by which thestart switch module 3614 is coupled to the appliance inlet module 3706.

Referring additionally to FIG. 39, an additional perspective view isprovided to show how the food waste disposer 3600 can be implemented inan installation environment including a Romex/BX cable 3900. As shown,in such an installation environment, the Romex coupler 3806 can bepositioned into and locked in position relative to a coupler orifice3822 of the external wire box 3820 (see FIG. 38F), and the Romex/BXcable can be inserted through the Romex coupler 3806 locked relative tothe Romex coupler by way of the adjustable clamp feature 3818.Additionally, the external wire box 3820 (which is shown in phantom) canbe affixed to the bottom surface of the LEF 3602 as shown. It should beappreciated that, when implemented as shown in FIG. 39, the externalwire box 3818 in combination with the bottom surface of the LEF 3602provides an internal space within which wiring can be routed. Also, inaddition to covering over a portion of the bottom surface of the LEF3602, the external wire box 3818 also encloses the appliance inlet powercord connection structure 3606 and the lead wire orifice that is exposedwhen the lead wire cover 3610 (see FIG. 36) is removed. When the foodwaste disposer 3600 is fully installed, both the terminal cover 3808 andthe external wire box 3818 (but not the lead wire cover 3610) areattached to the bottom surface of the LEF 3602, and an edge 3902 of theexternal wire box 3818 runs along an edge of the terminal cover 3808.

Further with reference to FIG. 39, it should be appreciated thatinstallation of the food waste disposer 3600 in an installationenvironment entailing the Romex/BX cable 3900 is somewhat similar toinstallation of the food waste disposer 3000 in an installationenvironment entailing the Romex/BX cable 3300 as described above. Justas the Romex/BX cable 3300 is attached to the appliance inlet power cordconnection structure 3006 via the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3212 in thecase of the food waste disposer 3000, the Romex/BX cable 3900 isattached to the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 3606 viathe 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 in the case of the food waste disposer3600. However, while the coupling of the lead wires of the Romex/BXcable 3300 to the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3212 is achieved by way ofwire coupling that ultimately is housed within the interior of the foodwaste disposer 3000 (e.g., above the LEF 3002), within the internalwiring cavity 3010 as enclosed by the terminal cover 3208, the couplingof lead wires of the Romex/BX cable 3900 to the 3-wire hardwire adapter3812 is achieved by way of wire coupling that is ultimately housedwithin a region exterior of the food waste disposer 3600 (e.g., beneaththe bottom surface of the LEF 3602), within the wiring cavity formed bythe external wire box 3820.

More particularly, it should be appreciated that coupling of theRomex/BX cable 3900 in relation to the appliance inlet power cordconnection structure 3606 via the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 occurs asillustrated by FIGS. 37 and 39. In particular, FIG. 39 illustrates astate in which the Romex/BX cable 3900 has been positioned through theRomex coupler 3806, the Romex coupler 3806 has been positioned withinthe orifice 3822 of the external wire box 3820, the modified C13 typeplug 3814 of the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 has been inserted into theappliance inlet power cord connection structure 3606, and the externalwire box 3820 has been attached to the bottom surface of the LEF 3602.When these components are in this state, then each of the lead wires3816 of the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 and the lead wires 3702 of theRomex/BX cable (which correspond to the lead wires 1722 of FIG. 16) canbe routed within the interior of the external wire box 3820 so as toextend through the lead wire orifice (existing due to the removal of thelead wire cover 3610) and into the interior of the food waste disposer3600 as shown in FIG. 37.

Although FIGS. 37 and 39 both show the terminal cover 3808 as beingpresent, it should be appreciated that during the installation processthe terminal cover is temporarily removed, so that the terminal coverorifice is exposed and the interior of the food waste disposer 3600 canbe accessed by the installer. With this being the case, each of the leadwires 3816 and lead wires 3702 can be accessed (notwithstanding each ofthose leads extending through the lead wire orifice as described above)and drawn out of the interior of the food waste disposer by way of theterminal cover orifice. When the lead wires 3816 and 3702 are accessed,two of the lead wires 3816 (e.g., the white and black lead wires) of the3-wire hardware adapter 3812 can be coupled to corresponding ones (e.g.,white and black ones) of the lead wires 3702 of the Romex/BX cable 3900by way of the couplers 3810. Also, a third one of the lead wires 3702(e.g., a ground wire) can be coupled to a ground screw 3704 on the LEF3602, as can a third one of the lead wires 3816. After the lead wires3816 are coupled in this manner to the lead wires 3702 and ground screw3704, all of the coupled lead wires can be pushed back into the interiorof the food waste disposer 3600 via the terminal cover orifice and theterminal cover 3808 can be reattached to the LEF 3602 so that all of thewiring is enclosed either within the main body of the food wastedisposer (e.g., above the LEF 3602) or within the interior cavity formedby the external wire box 3820 relative to the LEF.

As with the food waste disposer 3000, it can be seen that the 3-wirehardwire adapter 3812 of the eighth embodiment of the food wastedisposer 3600 performs a coupling role (in this case, by way of thecoupling afforded by the couplers 3810) in a manner that is somewhatanalogous to the role played by the Romex adapters 708 and 1308described above in regard to first and second embodiments of the foodwaste disposers 500 and 1000. As with the Romex adapters 708 and 1308,the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 allows the lead wires from the Romex/BXcable 3000 to be coupled to an appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure (in this case the structure 3606) that also is suitable forreceiving a modified C13 type plug (in this case, the plug 3802). At thesame time, however, it should be appreciated that the food wastedisposer 3600 differs from the food waste disposer 500 and 1000 in thatthe 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812, in contrast to the Romex adapters 708and 1308, is positioned within an enclosed cavity when employed with theRomex/BX cable 3900.

In view of the above discussion, the method of installation of the foodwaste disposer 3600 again will depend upon whether installationenvironment entails a wall outlet or the Romex/BX cable 3900. If themethod of installation involves a wall outlet, the method again proceedsin accordance with the flow chart 900 of FIG. 9 including the steps 901and step 902 (plus the start step 930), followed by the first branch ofsteps 910 (and the end step 940). However, if the method of installationinvolves the Romex/BX cable, then the method proceeds in accordance withthe flow chart of FIG. 9, including again the steps 901 and 902 (plusthe start step 930 and end step 940), except insofar as the steps of thesecond branch of steps between the points A and B are replaced byanother alternate second branch of steps 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005,4007, 4008, 4009, 4010, 4011, and 4012 shown in a flow chart 4000 ofFIG. 40.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 40, installation involving aRomex/BX cable (subsequent to the step 902) first involves removing theterminal cover 3808 and also the lead wire cover 3610 from the LEF 3602at the step 4001. Next, at the step 4002, the installer attaches (e.g.,screws) the Romex/BX coupler 3806 into the coupler orifice 3822 on theexternal wire box 3820. Next, at the step 4003, the 3-wire hardwireadapter 3812 is plugged into the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure 3606. Next, at the step 4004, the Romex/BX cable 3900 andassociated lead wires 3702 are inserted through the Romex coupler 3806and through the lead wire orifice exposed due to the removal of the leadwire cover 3610. Also, at the step 4004, the lead wires 3816 of the3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 are also inserted through the lead wireorifice. Further at this time, the installer can also pull the leadwires 3816 and 3702 out of the interior of the food waste disposer 3600through the terminal cover opening made accessible due to the removal ofthe terminal cover 3808.

Additionally, at the step 4007, a first one of the lead wires 3702 ofthe Romex/BX cable 3900 that is a ground wire lead is coupled to theground screw 3704. Additionally, at this time, a first one of the leadwires 3816 of the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 can also be coupled tothe ground screw. Further, at the steps 4008 and 4009, respectively,second, and third ones of the lead wires (e.g., a white lead wire, and ablack lead wire) of the Romex/BX cable 3900 are respectively coupled tocomplementary ones of the lead wires 3816 (e.g., white, and black onesof those lead wires) of the 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812, by way of thecouplers 3810. Next, at the step 4010, all of those coupled lead wires(or coupled lead wire ends) of the Romex/BX cable 3900 and the 3-wirehardwire adapter 3812 and the associated couplers 3810 are pushed backthrough the terminal cover opening into the interior of the food wastedisposer 3600. Then, at the step 4005, the external wire box 3820 iscoupled to the bottom surface of the LEF 3602 (albeit in otherembodiments this can be performed earlier in the process, such as at thetime of the step 4004). Further, at the step 4011, the Romex coupler3806 is secured to the Romex/BX cable 3900 (e.g., by way of theadjustable clamp feature 3818). Finally, at the step 4012, the terminalcover 3808 is re-attached to the LEF 3602 (e.g., by way of a screw), soas to completely enclose the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable 3900 andthe 3-wire hardware adapter 3812 within the interior of the food wastedisposer 3600 and/or the cavity formed by the external wire box 3820relative to the LEF 3602.

It will be recognized that the flow chart 4000 includes some steps thatare identical or similar to those of the flow chart 320 of FIG. 3.However, it should be further recognized that the flow chart 3500differs from the flow chart 320 in a number of respects. For example,the step 4001 involves removing both the terminal cover 3808 and thelead wire cover 3610, instead of just a terminal cover as in the case ofthe step 301. Also for example, the step 4002 involves connecting theRomex coupler 3806 to the external wire box 3820 rather than to a LEF asin the case of the step 302, and the step 4005 regarding attachment ofthe external wire box 3820 is added. Additionally for example, the step303 involving pulling motor wires out through the terminal cover openingis replaced with plugging in the provided 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812to the modified C14 type appliance inlet at the step 3503. Further forexample, rather than including the steps 306 through 309, the flow chart4000 includes the steps 4007, 4008, and 4009 that involve connecting thelead wires (e.g., the ground, white, and black lead wires) 3702 of theRomex/BX cable 3900 with corresponding ones of the lead wires 3816 ofthe 3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 (and/or with the ground screw 3704 inthe case of the ground lead wire).

The features of the food waste disposer 3600 and associated systemcomponents, and method of installing such a food waste disposer, can beadvantageous in several respects. Among other things, the design of thefood waste disposer 3600 is such that there is no difference (or nosubstantial difference) between uncorded or pre-corded disposers duringmanufacture--the installer can simply use the provided cord 3800 or the3-wire hardwire adapter 3812 in combination with the external wire box3820 for any particular installation. Also, because the lead wires formaking a cable connection are more accessible, this should simplify theprocess of making the electrical connections. Lastly the detachablepower cord 3800 does not need to be assembled to the food waste disposerprior to packaging and can be better positioned in the carton to preventdamage during shipping.

Referring next to FIGS. 41, 42, 43A, 43B, 43C, 43D, 43E, 44, 45, and 46features of a ninth example embodiment of a food waste disposer 4100 areshown, where again the food waste disposer can be installed in a home soas to receive electric power in either of two alternative mannersdepending upon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a walloutlet. FIG. 41 shows a bottom perspective view of portions the foodwaste disposer 4100 that reveals the food waste disposer in a mannerillustrative of how it would be received by the customer. The bottomperspective view provided by FIG. 41 particularly shows a LEF 4102 and astator band 4104 of the food waste disposer 4100. Also evident in FIG.41 is an appliance inlet power cord connection structure 4106. Ingeneral, the food waste disposer 4100 has the modified C14 typeappliance inlet provided the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure 4106 but otherwise there is no access provided to the internalmotor compartment.

Relatedly, FIG. 42 shows a top perspective view of portions of the LEF4102 (and associated components), which include a start switch module4114. The induction motor start switch module 4114 is modified toinclude an appliance inlet module 4206 and also a cluster blockconnector (from a motor of the food waste disposer 4100) 4201, whichprovides a set of terminals to facilitate electrical connection to thestator during the manufacture and assembly of the food waste disposer.The start switch module 4114 is connected directly to or integrated withan appliance inlet module 4206, which provides the appliance inlet powercord connection structure 4106 that is accessible through an opening inthe LEF 4102 as shown in FIG. 41. Additionally, as will be describedfurther below, the cluster block connector (or assembly) 4201 alsoincludes lead wires 4202 that enable installation of the food wastedisposer 4100 in an installation environment involving a Romex/BX cable.

Additionally, the food waste disposer 4100 also includes (or isconfigured to be implemented in conjunction with) system components thatare shown in FIGS. 43A, 43B, 43C, 43D, and 43E. FIG. 43A particularlyshows a power cord 4300, which includes a modified C13 type plug 4302 ata first end and a NEMA 5-15 plug 4304 at a second end, and which can beidentical to the power cord 3800 of FIG. 38A. FIG. 43B shows a Romexcoupler 4306 that can be identical to the Romex coupler 3806 of FIG.38B, and that includes an adjustable clamp feature 4318. FIG. 43C showsa pair of lead couplers 4310 that can be identical to the lead couplers3810 of FIG. 38D. Further, FIG. 43D shows a perspective view of anexternal wire box 4308 that includes an orifice 4312, and FIG. 43E showsan external wire box cover 4314.

As in the case of several of the other embodiments of food wastedisposers already discussed above (e.g., the food waste disposers 500,1000, 1900, 2200, 2500, 3000, and 3600), the appliance inlet module 4206with the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 4106 allows forplugging-in of a power cord (e.g., the power cord 4300) when theinstallation environment entails a wall outlet. Thus, after the foodwaste disposer 4100 is physically installed (e.g., to a sink), thedisposer is connected to a power source using the provided power cord4300, by connecting the modified C13 type plug 4302 to the disposerappliance inlet power cord connection structure 4106 and the NEMA 5-15plug 4304 to the wall outlet. As already discussed, the appliance inletmodule 4206 is connected directly to, or can be formed integrally aspart of, the start switch module 4114 (that is, the induction motorstart switch module 4114 is modified to include the appliance inletmodule), with the appliance inlet power cord connection structure 4106being accessible through an opening in the LEF 4102. There is no need toemploy any assembly corresponding to the assembly 2112 by which thestart switch module 4114 is coupled to the appliance inlet module 4206.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 44, 45, and 46, three additionalperspective views are provided to show how the food waste disposer 4100can be implemented in an installation environment including a Romex/BXcable 4400 (see FIGS. 44 and 45). FIGS. 44, 45, and 46 particularlyillustrate three different stages in this process. More particularly inthis regard, FIG. 44 illustrates an early stage in the installationprocess, at which a lead wire access cover 4400 is disengaged from thebottom of the LEF 4106 and particularly from the appliance inlet powercord connection structure 4106, by way of loosening of a screw 4402, atan early stage of the installation process. When this occurs, ends ofthe lead wires 4202 are exposed.

By comparison, FIG. 45 shows a later stage of the installation process.At this stage, the Romex coupler 4306 is positioned into and locked inposition relative to the orifice 4312 of the external wire box 4308, andthe Romex/BX cable 4400 is inserted through the Romex coupler 4306 andlocked relative to the Romex coupler by way of the adjustable clampfeature 4318 (the locking of the Romex coupler to the Romex/BX cable canalso occur much later during the installation process). Additionally,the external wire box 4308 is affixed to the bottom surface of the LEF3602 as shown. Further, FIG. 45 also illustrates that, at this stage,lead wires (e.g., white and black lead wires) 4502 of the Romex/BX cable4400 are coupled to corresponding ones (again, e.g., white and blackones) of the lead wires 4202 by way of the couplers 4310. As shown, allof those lead wires and couplers are positioned within a wiringcompartment or cavity 4504 formed by the external wire box 4308 and thebottom surface of the LEF 4102. Finally, FIG. 46 illustrates a finalstage of the installation process, at which the external wire box cover4314 is affixed to the external wire box 4308 by way of a screw 4600 soas to fully enclose the wiring compartment 4504. The affixing of theexternal wire box cover 4314 can be considered to constitute the closingof a terminal cover opening existing between the external wire box 4308and the LEF 4102.

In view of the above discussion, the method of installation of the foodwaste disposer 4100 again will depend upon whether installationenvironment entails a wall outlet or the Romex/BX cable 4400. If themethod of installation involves a wall outlet, the method again proceedsin accordance with the flow chart 900 of FIG. 9 including the steps 901and step 902 (plus the start step 930), followed by the first branch ofsteps 910 (and the end step 940). However, if the method of installationinvolves the Romex/BX cable, then the method proceeds in accordance withthe flow chart of FIG. 9, including again the steps 901 and 902 (plusthe start step 930 and end step 940), except insofar as the steps of thesecond branch of steps between the points A and B are replaced byanother alternate second branch of steps 4701, 4702, 4703, 4704, 4705,4706, 4707, 4708, 4709, 4710, 4711, and 4712 shown in a flow chart 4700of FIG. 47.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 47, installation involving theRomex/BX cable 4400 (subsequent to the step 902) first involvesconnecting the Romex coupler 4306 to the external wire box 4308 via theorifice 4312 at the step 4702. Next, at the step 4703, the lead wireaccess cover 4400 is removed by loosening of the screw 4402. Further, atthe step 4704, the Romex/BX cable 4400 and associated lead wires 4502are inserted through the Romex coupler 4306 and into the cavity 4504.Following the step 4704, the steps 4706 and 4707 can be respectivelyperformed, at which a ground screw (not shown in FIG. 45) is loosened,and a first one of the lead wires 4502 that is a ground wire is coupledto the ground screw, respectively. Next, at the steps 4708 and 4709,respectively, second and third ones (e.g., white and black ones) of thelead wires 4502 of the Romex/BX cable 440 are respectively coupled tocorresponding ones (again, e.g., white and black ones) of the lead wires4202 by way of the couplers 4310, respectively. Subsequently, at thestep 4710, the installer makes sure that all of the lead wires 4202 and4510 and the couplers 4310 are pushed through the terminal cover openingwithin the wiring compartment 4504, so that the lead wires and couplersare all within the interior space formed between the external wire box4308 and the LEF 4102 (as previously mentioned, in this embodiment theterminal cover opening can be considered the opening in the externalwire box 4308 that can be covered by the external wire box cover 4314).As illustrated by a step 4701, all of the steps 4706, 4707, 4708, 4709,and 4710 can be generally viewed overall as a step involving theconnecting of the wire leads (motor leads) 4202 with the wire leads 4502of the Romex/BX cable 4400 (and/or with a ground terminal) andpositioning of all of those leads and associated couplers within theexternal wire box 4308.

As additionally illustrated by FIG. 47, after the completion of the step4710 (or the step 4701), the method advances to a step 4705, at whichthe external wire box 4308 is attached to the LEF 4102. In alternateembodiments, this attachment step can occur earlier in the method, suchas at the step 4704. Further, after the step 4705, the Romex/BX coupler4306 is secured to the Romex/BX cable 4400 at the step 4711. Finally, atthe step 4712, the flow chart 4700 is completed with the attachment ofthe external wire box cover 4314 to the external wire box 4308.

It will be recognized that the flow chart 4700 includes some steps thatare identical or similar to those of the flow chart 320 of FIG. 3.However, it should be further recognized that the flow chart 4700differs from the flow chart 320 in a number of respects. For example, inplace of the step 302, the flow chart 4700 includes the step 4702 atwhich the Romex coupler 4306 is connected to the external wire box 4308.Also, instead of the step 303, the flow chart 4700 includes the step4703 at which the screw 4402 is loosened so as to allow for the leadwire access cover 4400 to be accessed, so as to provide access to theleads 4202 and permit cable connection. Also, the flow chart 4700 neednot include any step corresponding to the step 305, as the attachment ofthe external wire box 4308 at the step 4705 occurs after the coupling ofthe leads 4202 and 4502. Additionally, the flow chart 4700, in additionto including the step 4705 involving attachment of the external wire box4308, also includes the step 4712 at which the external wire box cover4314 also occurs.

The features of the food waste disposer 4100 and associated systemcomponents, and method of installing such a food waste disposer, can beadvantageous in several respects. Among other things, the design of thefood waste disposer 4100 is such that there is no difference (or nosubstantial difference) between uncorded or pre-corded disposers duringmanufacture--the installer can simply use the provided cord 4300 or theexternal wire box 4308 for any particular installation. Also, becausethe lead wires for making a cable connection are more accessible, thisshould simplify the process of making the electrical connections.Indeed, since all wiring is external to the food waste disposer, thisshould reduce installation errors. Lastly the detachable power cord 4300does not need to be assembled to the food waste disposer 4100 prior topackaging and can be better positioned in the carton to prevent damageduring shipping.

Referring next to FIGS. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53A, and 53, features of atenth example embodiment of a food waste disposer 4800 are shown, whereagain the food waste disposer can be installed in a home so as toreceive electric power in either of two alternative manners dependingupon whether the home includes a Romex/BX cable or a wall outlet. FIGS.48 and 49 show two bottom plan cutaway views of portions of the foodwaste disposer 4800, including a LEF 4802 of the food waste disposer4800. FIG. 48 particularly shows the LEF 4802 to include each of aterminal cover 4804, an appliance inlet power cord connection structure4806, a ground screw 4808, and a Romex cover 4810 covering a Romex hole(not shown). That is, in this embodiment, the food waste disposer 4800includes both a modified C14 type appliance inlet and a Romex hole.

FIG. 49 shows the food waste disposer 4800 after certain modificationshave been made to permit installation of the food waste disposer in aninstallation environment including a Romex/BX cable such as the Romex/BXcable 4400 of FIG. 45. Also, FIG. 49 shows an appliance inlet cover 4916to be positioned over the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure 4806. It should be appreciated that FIG. 48 shows how the foodwaste disposer 4800 would be received by the customer, except insofar astypically the food waste disposer would also include the appliance inletcover 4916 mounted as shown in FIG. 49 when first received by thecustomer.

In addition to FIGS. 48 and 49, FIG. 50 is provided to show a bottomperspective view of portions of the LEF 4802 (and associated components)of the food waste disposer 4800, including the terminal cover 4804 andan appliance inlet module 5000 that includes the appliance inlet powercord connection structure 4806. FIGS. 51 and 52 respectively are bottomand top perspective view of the appliance inlet module 5000 of the foodwaste disposer 4800, shown to be separated from the remainder of the LEF4802 (including the terminal cover 4804 thereof). Further, the foodwaste disposer 4800 also includes (or is configured to be implemented inconjunction with) system components that are shown in FIGS. 53A and 53B.FIG. 53A particularly shows a power cord 5300, which includes a modifiedC13 type plug 5302 at a first end and a NEMA 5-15 plug 5304 at a secondend, and which can be identical to the power cord 4300 of FIG. 43A. FIG.53B shows a Romex coupler 5306 that can be identical to the Romexcoupler 4306 of FIG. 43B, and that includes an adjustable clamp feature5318.

Referring still particularly to FIGS. 50, 51, and 52, the applianceinlet module 5000 includes a ground terminal 5002. The ground screw 4808can be employed to couple a lead wire (not shown) to the ground terminal5002. Also, the appliance inlet module 5000 includes a pair of outputterminals 5004, by which power can be provided to the start switchmodule or motor (not shown) internally to the food waste disposer 4800.Although not shown, it should be appreciated that the appliance inletmodule 5000 is connected directly to, or can be formed integrally aspart of, an induction motor start switch module (not shown) by way ofthe output terminals 5004. Further, the appliance inlet module 5000 alsoincludes additional connection terminals 5006 by which a Romex/BX cable(such as the Romex/BX cable 4400) can be coupled to the appliance inletmodule, which in the present embodiment are formed by screws.Additionally, the appliance inlet module 5000 also includes furtherterminals 5008, which are included as part of the appliance inlet powercord connection structure 4806.

In view of the above discussion, it should be recognized that in thistenth embodiment of the food waste disposer 4800, the appliance inletmodule 5000 permits the food waste disposer to be installed in either aninstallation environment with a wall outlet or an installationenvironment with a Romex/BX cable. In an installation environmententailing a Romex/BX cable (such as the Romex/BX cable 4400), theterminal cover 4804 along with the appliance inlet module 5000 isremoved from the LEF 4802. Then, the Romex coupler 5306 is installed onthe LEF 4802 after the Romex cover 4810 is removed, and the Romex/BXcable and lead wires extending therefrom (e.g., such as the lead wires4502) are inserted through the Romex coupler into the interior of thefood waste disposer 4800. In this circumstance, the lead wires from theRomex/BX cable can be drawn through an orifice in the LEF 4802 that ispresent due to the removal of the terminal cover 4804, and those leadwires can be coupled to the connection terminals 5006, at which pointthe terminal cover 4804 (and accompanying appliance inlet module 5000)can be reattached to the LEF 4802. In such a circumstance, given thatthe terminals 5004 would also be coupled to the switch module (ormotor), power from the Romex/BX cable would be made available to thefood waste disposer 4800.

Alternatively, as in the case of several of the other embodiments offood waste disposers already discussed above (e.g., the food wastedisposers 500, 1000, 1900, 2200, 2500, 3000, 3600, and 4100), theappliance inlet module 5000 with the appliance inlet power cordconnection structure 4806 allows for plugging-in of a power cord (e.g.,the power cord 5300) when the installation environment entails a walloutlet. Thus, after the food waste disposer 4800 is physically installed(e.g., to a sink), the disposer is connected to a power source using theprovided power cord 5300, by removing the appliance inlet cover 4916,connecting the modified C13 type plug 5302 to the disposer applianceinlet power cord connection structure 4806, and connecting the NEMA 5-15plug 5304 to the wall outlet.

In view of the above discussion, the method of installation of the foodwaste disposer 4100 again will depend upon whether installationenvironment entails a wall outlet or a Romex/BX cable (e.g., theRomex/BX cable 4400). If the method of installation involves a walloutlet, the method again proceeds in accordance with the flow chart 900of FIG. 9 including the steps 901 and step 902 (plus the start step930), followed by the first branch of steps 910 (and the end step 940).However, if the method of installation involves the Romex/BX cable, thenthe method proceeds in accordance with the flow chart of FIG. 9,including again the steps 901 and 902 (plus the start step 930 and endstep 940), except insofar as the steps of the second branch of stepsbetween the points A and B are replaced by another alternate secondbranch of steps 5401, 5402, 5403, 5404, 5405, 5406, and 5407 shown in aflow chart 5400 of FIG. 54.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 54 installation involving a Romex/BXcable (subsequent to the step 902) first involves removing the Romexcover 4810 at the step 5401. Next, at the step 5402, the Romex coupler5306 is attached (e.g., screwed into) the bottom surface of the LEF4802. Next, at the step 5403, the terminal cover 4804 along with theappliance inlet module 5000 is removed from the LEF 4802. Further, atthe step 5404, the Romex/BX cable and associated lead wires are insertedthrough the Romex coupler 5306 and into the interior of the food wastedisposer 4800. Additionally, following the step 5404, two (e.g., whiteand black ones) of the lead wires of the Romex/BX cable are attachedrespectively to the respective connection terminals 5006 on theappliance inlet module 5000. Further, at the step 5406 a ground wire ofthe Romex/BX cable (and/or possibly any other ground wire) can beattached to the ground terminal 5002 by way of the ground screw 4808.Throughout these steps, it is also assumed that the terminals 5004 arecoupled to the switch module (or motor) of the food waste disposer 4800by way of additional wiring. Finally, at the step 5407, the terminalcover 4804 including the appliance inlet module 5000 is reattached tothe LEF 4802.

The features of the food waste disposer 4800 and associated systemcomponents, and method of installing such a food waste disposer, can beadvantageous in several respects. Among other things, in thisembodiment, there is no difference between uncorded or pre-corded foodwaste disposers during manufacture. The installer can use the providedpower cord 5300 or instead use the Romex/BX cable (e.g., as provided inan installation environment such as a home) and the Romex coupler 5306for any particular installation. Also, since the food waste disposer4800 is not pre-corded, the cord can be better positioned within ashipping carton to prevent damage during shipping.

Notwithstanding the above description, the present disclosure isintended to encompass additional embodiments and modified versions ofthe above-described embodiments in addition to the embodimentsspecifically described above. Among other things, although the abovedescription relates to food waste disposers, the present disclosure isalso intended to encompass embodiments relating to other types of wastedisposers.

It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited tothe embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modifiedforms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments andcombinations of elements of different embodiments as come within thescope of the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A food waste disposer system comprising: a motor; a switchmodule coupled at least indirectly to the motor and configured to governa providing of power to the motor; a housing including a first sidehousing portion and a bottom housing portion; an appliance inlet powercord connection structure supported at least indirectly upon thehousing, wherein the appliance inlet power cord connection structure iseither connected to or integrally formed with the switch module; and apower cord including a first end with a first plug and a second end witha second plug, wherein the first plug is configured to be coupled to theappliance inlet power cord connection structure, wherein additionallythe food waste disposer includes an adapter or first lead wires that arecoupled at least indirectly to the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure, wherein the food waste disposer can be selectivelyimplemented either in a first installation environment including a walloutlet by way of coupling the first plug to the appliance inlet powercord connection structure, or in a second installation environmentincluding a hardwired power cable by coupling additional lead wires ofthe hardwired power cable either to the first lead wires or by couplingthe additional lead wires to the adapter and further coupling theadapter to the appliance inlet power cord connection structure.
 2. Thefood waste disposer system of claim 1, wherein the food waste disposerincludes the adapter.
 3. The food waste disposer system of claim 2,wherein the adapter includes a third plug at a first end thereof andincludes a coupling assembly at a second end thereof, wherein the thirdplug is configured to be coupled to the appliance inlet power cordconnection structure.
 4. The food waste disposer system of claim 3,wherein the third plug extends in a first direction that is opposed to,and substantially parallel to, a second direction in which the couplingassembly extends.
 5. The food waste disposer system of claim 3, whereinthe third plug extends in a first direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to a second direction in which the coupling assemblyextends.
 6. The food waste disposer system of claim 3, furthercomprising a coupler including an adjustable clamp feature through whichthe hardwire power cable can be supported, wherein the hardwired powercable is a Romex/BX cable.
 7. The food waste disposer system of claim 6,wherein the coupling assembly is configured to support the coupler andadditionally includes screws by which the additional lead wires of theRomex/BX cable can be attached to the adapter.
 8. The food wastedisposer system of claim 6, wherein the coupling assembly includesscrews by which the additional lead wires of the Romex/BX cable can beattached to the adapter, and further comprising a terminal cover thatcan be attached to the bottom housing portion and support the coupler.9. The food waste disposer system of claim 2, wherein the food wastedisposer system includes both the adapter and the first lead wires,wherein the adapter includes a third plug and the first lead wires, andwherein the third plug is configured to be coupled to the applianceinlet power cord connection structure.
 10. The food waste disposersystem of claim 9, further comprising a coupler including an adjustableclamp feature through which the Romex/BX can be supported, wherein thefood waste disposer is configured to support the coupler at leastindirectly upon the bottom housing portion.
 11. The food waste disposersystem of claim 10, further comprising a terminal cover, and a pluralityof coupling elements, and a first orifice within the bottom housingportion, wherein the food waste disposer is configured to support thecoupler directly upon the bottom housing portion when the coupler isinserted within the orifice, wherein first end portions of the firstlead wires can be coupled to additional end portions of the additionallead wires at the coupling elements, and wherein the terminal cover canbe attached to the bottom housing assembly so as to enclose a cavitywithin the bottom housing assembly within which can be positioned thefirst end portions, the additional end portions, and the couplingelements.
 12. The food waste disposer system of claim 10, furthercomprising an external wire box having a first orifice, and a pluralityof coupling elements, wherein the food waste disposer is configured tosupport the coupler indirectly upon the bottom housing portion when thecoupler is inserted within the orifice and the external wire box isattached to the bottom housing portion, wherein first end portions ofthe first lead wires can be coupled to additional end portions of theadditional lead wires at the coupling elements, and wherein the externalwire box is attached to the bottom housing assembly so as to enclose acavity formed by the external wire box and the bottom housing assemblywithin which can be positioned the first end portions, the additionalend portions, and the coupling elements.
 13. The food waste disposersystem of claim 1, wherein the food waste disposer includes the firstlead wires, which extend from the appliance inlet power cord connectionstructure or from the switch module.
 14. The food waste disposer systemof claim 13, wherein either the first lead wires extend from theappliance inlet power cord connection structure and the appliance inletpower cord connection structure is coupled to the switch module by wayof an assembly, or the first lead wires extend from the appliance inletpower cord connection structure and the appliance inlet power cordconnection structure is integrally formed with the switch module. 15.The food waste disposer system of claim 13, further comprising a couplerplate including an adjustable clamp feature, a plurality of couplingelements, and a first orifice within the bottom housing portion, whereinthe food waste disposer is configured to support the coupler platedirectly upon the bottom housing portion when the coupler plate ispositioned so as to cover the first orifice, wherein first end portionsof the first lead wires can be coupled to additional end portions of theadditional lead wires of the Romex/BX cable at the coupling elementswhen the Romex/BX cable is positioned so that the additional lead wiresare at least partly positioned within an interior of the food wastedisposer, and wherein the terminal cover can be attached to the bottomhousing assembly so as to enclose a cavity within the bottom housingassembly within which can be positioned the first end portions, theadditional end portions, and the coupling elements.
 16. The food wastedisposer system of claim 13, further comprising a coupler including anadjustable clamp feature, a plurality of coupling elements, an externalwire box having a first orifice, and an external wire box cover, whereinthe food waste disposer is configured to support the external wire boxand the coupler when the external wire box is attached to the bottomhousing portion and the coupler is positioned within the first orifice,wherein first end portions of the first lead wires can be coupled toadditional end portions of the additional lead wires of the Romex/BXcable at the coupling elements when the Romex/BX cable is positioned sothat the additional lead wires are at least partly positioned within acavity within the external wire box, and wherein the external wire boxcover can be attached to the external wire box so as to enclose thecavity within which can be positioned the first end portions, theadditional end portions, and the coupling elements.
 17. The food wastedisposer system of claim 1, wherein the appliance inlet power cordconnection structure is supported upon the bottom housing portion orsupported upon the first side housing portion, and wherein the firstplug is a modified C13 type plug and the second plug is a NEMA 5-15plug.
 18. A method of installing a food waste disposer system, themethod comprising: providing the food waste disposer system to aninstallation environment, wherein the food waste disposer systemincludes a housing and a switch module supported at least indirectlyupon the housing; determining whether the installation environment forthe food waste disposer includes a wall outlet or a Romex/BX cable;coupling, at least indirectly to the switch module, a plurality of firstwire leads of either the Romex/BX cable or a power cord suitable forengaging the wall outlet, wherein the food waste disposer systemincludes one or more system components that, alone or in combinationwith one or more additional components, enable the food waste disposersystem to be installed so as to receive power via the wall outlet whenthe installation environment is determined to include the wall outletand, alternatively, via the Romex/BX cable when the installationenvironment is determined to include the Romex/BX cable.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein the Romex/BX cable includes the plurality of firstwire leads and the coupling is achieved by connecting the first wireleads with: a) a plurality of second wire leads extending from theswitch module or a structure integrally formed with the switch module,or from an assembly coupled to the switch module; b) a plurality ofthird wire leads of an adapter that includes a first plug that in turnis coupled to an appliance inlet power cord connection structure that iseither connected to or integrally formed with the switch module; c) anadapter that includes a second plug that in turn is coupled to theappliance inlet power cord connection structure; or d) a plurality ofterminals of an additional module that is supported by the housing andis coupled to the switch module.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein thefood waste disposer system includes either the appliance inlet powercord connection structure or the additional module, and wherein theappliance inlet power cord connection structure or the additional moduleincluded by the food waste disposer system is configured to receive amodified C13 type plug of the power cord that also includes a NEMA 5-15plug suitable for connection to the wall outlet.